The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has, in effect, recognised the National Caretaker Committee of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) aligned with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.

This became apparent when the caretaker committee’s chairman, Abdulrahman Mohammed, and the party’s Acting National Secretary, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, took part in INEC’s first quarterly consultative meeting with the leadership of registered political parties.

Attendance at this high-level forum is typically limited to national chairmen and national secretaries officially acknowledged by INEC, indicating the commission’s acceptance of the Mohammed-led caretaker leadership.

INEC’s stance is consistent with a previous judgment of the Federal High Court in Ibadan, which directed the electoral body to recognise the Abdulrahman Mohammed-led National Caretaker Committee as the legitimate leadership of the PDP.

The court ruling followed prolonged internal leadership crises within the party, disputes that have further widened existing divisions as the PDP prepares for critical political engagements.

Political observers note that INEC’s move could alter the internal power dynamics of the opposition party, with far-reaching consequences for party unity and its readiness for forthcoming elections.