INEC recognises Wike-backed PDP leadership

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has recognised the faction of the national working committee (NWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) backed by Nyesom Wike, minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

The PDP’s leadership has been published on the electoral umpire’s website, with Abdulrahman Mohammed listed as the party’s national chairman.

Mohammed and other members of the NWC were elected on Sunday at the national convention held at the velodrome of the Moshood Abiola National Stadium in Abuja.

The PDP is polarised into two factions.

The faction led by Kabiru Turaki had asked the supreme court to restrain the Wike camp from holding the national convention.

Speaking at the convention, Wike said the party has successfully overcome the crisis of leadership that threatened its survival.

The FCT minister said loyal party members “fought and returned the party to its rightful owners”.

“Together we fought against proponents of ethnic and geographic divisions; we trounced the naysayers who abandoned the core values upon which the party was built and, in the process, arrested the party from the vice grip of those who abhor internal democracy and shun adherence to the rule of law,” Wike said.

“More importantly, we fought and returned the party to its rightful owners, the people, an accomplishment which speaks to the fundamental principle upon which the party was erected.” (The Cable)