The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has recognised the new National Working Committee (NWC) executives elected by the Nyesom Wike-backed Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Checks on Monday revealed that the electoral body reflected the development on its official website on Monday, where it published the updated leadership of the opposition party.
Those listed include Abdulrahman Mohammed as National Chairman and Samuel Anyanwu as National Secretary, alongside other members of the party’s national leadership.
This comes just hours after Wike-backed PDP faction elected its own slate of party executives.
The election was held amid months of legal battles and administrative friction between the FCT Minister, Wike, and the faction backed by Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State, under the Turaki-led National Working Committee (NWC).
Pan-Atlantic Kompass reports that the Wike-backed PDP elected its party executives during the National Convention held at Velodrome of the Moshood Abiola National Stadium in Abuja.
The NWC members, along with other national positions and their respective consensus candidates, were affirmed by over 2,500 delegates.
The newly elected party executives are; National Chairman, Abdulrahman Mohammed; Deputy National Chairman (South), Aaron Chukwuemeka; Deputy National Chairman (North), Yusufu Akirikwen (SAN); National Secretary, Anyanwu Samuel; Deputy National Secretary, Kolawale Olabisi; National Treasurer, Odeyemei Oladiran; and Deputy National Treasurer, Lado Marke.
Other positions are National Financial Secretary, Eyim Henry; Deputy National Financial Secretary, Dr Grema Kyari; National Organising Secretary, Umar Bature; and Deputy National Organising Secretary, Efere Augustine.
Others are National Publicity Secretary, Jungudo Mohammed; Deputy National Publicity Secretary, Egwu Chidiebere; National Legal Adviser, Kamaldeen Ajibade (SAN); Deputy National Legal Adviser, Aloysius Uba; National Auditor, Osuoha Donatus; Deputy National Auditor, Dr Adaba Yatu; National Youth Leader, Ibrahim Aboki; and Deputy National Youth Leader, Momoh Bashir.
The positions of the National Women Leader went to Prof Ogunshe Adedayo, while the Deputy National Women Leader is Hauwa Shinge.
Speaking during the Convention, former Abia State Governor and Chairman of the 2026 National Convention Planning and Organising Committee, Okezie Victor Ikpeazu, said that reconciliation within the PDP is not optional, but fundamental to the party’s future.
He stated, “The last time our party assembled at a national convention to elect members of the National Working Committee was in October 2021 at Eagle Square here in Abuja. Since that moment, our great party has traversed a challenging and at times turbulent path.
“The tenure of that National Working Committee witnessed internal leadership strains and institutional tests at the centre. These developments ultimately culminated in the decisive intervention of the National Executive Committee at its 104th meeting in December 2025, where a National Caretaker Working Committee was constituted in the overriding interest of stability and continuity.
“Today, however, we stand once again at the threshold of history. We are gathered under the compelling and forward-looking theme of this Convention: Inclusiveness, Unity, and Renewal. This theme is not a mere slogan; it is a strategic imperative. It speaks directly to our present reality and defines the pathway to our collective future. It calls on us to close ranks, rebuild trust, and reposition our party as the foremost platform for democratic governance in Nigeria.”
In his address, Wike praised PDP members for their efforts in restoring the main opposition party to its rightful owners.
He stated: “It is gladdening to note at this juncture that, throughout this period of morbid and avoidable crisis, our members at the grassroots across all the wards in this country remained largely stable in their dedication to the party. They insisted that they would never leave the party that has, over the years, contributed in no small measure to their welfare and upliftment on the one hand and the development of the society at large.
“So, while they watched the ugly spectre of the infidelity of opportunistic elites that were gyrating from one party to another in the pursuit of selfish purposes, they remained faithful to the party, praying fervently for a renaissance to come. Their prayers have been answered by God, and that renaissance is here.
“Together with all and sundry across all the nooks and crannies of our country, we shall rebuild our party in such a way that would meet the yearnings and aspirations of the generality of Nigerians.”
This comes as the PDP had broken two rival factions after nearly three years of internal crisis. Following the development, the governors’ bloc, supported by Seyi Makinde and Bala Mohammed, held a convention in Ibadan on November 16, where Tanimu Turaki (SAN) and others were elected into the National Working Committee.
In response, the faction aligned with Wike set up a 13-member National Caretaker Working Committee in December, appointing Abdulrahman Mohammed as Acting National Chairman and Samuel Anyanwu as Acting National Secretary to manage the party for 60 days pending a substantive convention.
Recall also that on February 12, the Court of Appeal upheld an earlier ruling of the Federal High Court, declaring the Ibadan convention invalid for breaching the Electoral Act, the Constitution, and the PDP constitution.
