The Mohammed Abdulrahman-led National Caretaker Committee of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has said that the recent recognition of its faction by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) will restore stability and order within the party ahead of its March 29 national convention.
The faction also called for reconciliation with all aggrieved party members and supporters, as the leadership crisis within the PDP remains unresolved.
Describing the electoral umpire’s intervention as “decisive and commendable,” the group said the development would enable the party to focus on producing credible candidates for the 2027 general elections.
The Abdulrahman-led camp, which is backed by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, praised INEC on Friday in Abuja, days after an Ibadan Federal High Court nullified the PDP’s November 15, 2025 convention that produced the Tanimu Turaki-led National Working Committee (NWC).
The faction has since been emboldened by the court judgment, which recognised the caretaker committee as the party’s leadership for now.
INEC had invited the Abdulrahman-led caretaker committee to its consultative meeting with leaders of political parties held in Abuja on Thursday.
During the meeting, Abdulrahman was seated in a chair clearly marked “PDP Chairman,” indicating that the electoral umpire had recognised the faction in compliance with the Ibadan court judgment.
On the same day, the National Secretary of the faction, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, announced that the PDP’s Wadata Plaza National Secretariat would be reopened on Monday next week.
The development triggered an immediate reaction from the Turaki-led NWC, which threatened further legal action.
“This action, though ordinarily vexatious and capable of causing a widespread breach of peace, will be met with all possible legal responses,” the NWC’s National Publicity Secretary, Comrade Ini Ememobong, said.
However, the Abdulrahman-led caretaker committee insisted on Friday that INEC’s decision had helped to “remove uncertainties capable of undermining the party’s organisational processes and electoral readiness.”
The faction’s National Publicity Secretary, Jungudo Haruna Mohammed, said:
“The recent decision by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to recognise the leadership of the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) represents a decisive and commendable intervention toward restoring stability, order and constitutional governance within our great party.
“This recognition comes at a critical moment in the life of the PDP, particularly as preparations gradually begin for the party’s national convention and the strategic task of positioning the party to effectively field credible candidates for the 2027 general elections.
“By affirming a lawful leadership structure following the Federal High Court judgment, INEC has helped to remove uncertainties capable of undermining the party’s organisational processes and electoral readiness.”
While commending INEC for its decision, the Wike-backed camp appealed for reconciliation, urging party faithful to rally behind the Abdulrahman-led caretaker committee.
The spokesman added:
“The National Caretaker Working Committee commends the Commission for its steadfast commitment to due process and the rule of law. Such institutional courage strengthens Nigeria’s democracy and reassures party members and supporters that legality, not arbitrariness, remains the guiding principle in electoral matters.
“This development should serve as a rallying point for all loyal party faithful. The time has come to set aside differences, embrace reconciliation, and channel our collective energy toward strengthening the PDP ahead of the 2027 elections.
“Nigerians look to our party for responsible leadership and a credible alternative, and we must not allow internal disputes to distract us from this historic responsibility.
“We therefore urge stakeholders across all levels of the party to support the recognised leadership of Mohammed Abdulrahman as it works toward organising a successful convention, restoring cohesion, and laying the groundwork for the emergence of competent candidates who will carry the banner of the PDP to victory in the next electoral cycle.”
However, the Turaki-led NWC dismissed the faction as “expelled former members of the PDP,” insisting that the party would await the final determination of all pending appeals before the Court of Appeal, which it expects to be decided in its favour.
