Nigeria’s election management body, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), has given a fresh signal that it is recognising a National Caretaker Committee of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) that is linked to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.
The development was noticed on Thursday, February 5, 2026, during the first quarterly meeting between INEC and leaders of registered political parties. The Federal Capital Territory is the territory that hosts Abuja, Nigeria’s capital, while the PDP is one of the country’s major political parties.
INEC’s recognition appeared to be shown by the presence of Abdulrahman Mohammed, who leads the PDP National Caretaker Committee backed by Wike, at the meeting. Also present was the party’s Acting National Secretary, Senator Samuel Anyanwu.
The quarterly meeting is designed for only the national chairmen and national secretaries of all registered parties that are recognised by the commission. By allowing Mohammed and Anyanwu to attend as part of the party leadership present, INEC was seen as tacitly acknowledging the caretaker leadership as the authorised representatives of the PDP for the engagement.
The situation follows a ruling by the Federal High Court in Ibadan, a major city in Oyo State in south-west Nigeria. The court directed INEC to recognise the Abdulrahman Mohammed-led caretaker committee as the genuine leadership of the party.
The issue is significant because INEC’s recognition of party officers affects official dealings, including communication on party matters and participation in commission-led meetings. It also comes amid continued internal disputes in Nigerian political parties over leadership structures, which often end up in court.
Further details were still expected at the time of this report.