INEC Rejects Wike-Backed Abdulrahman Mohammed as PDP Acting Chairman

The Independent National Electoral Commission has declined to recognize a correspondence submitted by Abdulrahman Mohammed, who was presented as the acting chairman of the Samuel Anyanwu faction of the Peoples Democratic Party. The commission made it clear that the letter failed to satisfy the legal requirements governing internal party communications, especially those relating to notices for congresses and primaries. This rejection effectively nullifies Mohammed’s attempt to act in the capacity of party chairman and throws fresh controversy into the ongoing internal crisis within the PDP.

The dispute began when Abdulrahman Mohammed, alongside Senator Samuel Anyanwu, wrote to INEC requesting the postponement of the party’s governorship primary election in Ekiti State. The letter, dated November 6, 2025, claimed there were logistical challenges that made it necessary to suspend the exercise. The message informed the commission that a new date would be provided later. Their correspondence referenced an earlier letter allegedly sent to INEC on the same subject, and concluded with assurances of their regards, as though the authority of their positions was unquestionable.

Despite this request, however, the PDP proceeded with its Ekiti governorship primary election on November 8 as initially scheduled. The primary produced Dr. Wole Oluyede as the party’s candidate after he secured 279 votes. His closest competitor, Funso Agent, garnered 239 votes, while another aspirant, Funmilayo Ogun, finished with 17 votes. The conduct of the primaries exposed a lack of alignment within the PDP’s leadership and highlighted the clear division between factions loyal to different national figures.

Following the conclusion of the primary, INEC formally responded to the earlier letter from Mohammed and Anyanwu. In its reply, addressed to the National Secretary of the PDP and dated November 10, 2025, the commission categorically rejected the request for postponement. The response, signed by the Secretary to the Commission, Mrs. Rose Oriaran Anthony, explained that the communication did not comply with the requirements outlined in Part 2(12)3 of the 2022 Regulations and Guidelines for Political Parties. This regulation states unambiguously that notices of congresses, conventions, or related meetings must be jointly signed by the National Chairman and National Secretary of a political party before they can be formally recognized. The letter reminded the party leadership to be guided accordingly and emphasized that only properly authorized officers can validly issue such notices.

By pointing out that the document did not meet these standards, INEC indirectly affirmed that the individuals who signed the letter lacked the legal authority to issue instructions binding on the party or the commission. This implicitly invalidated Abdulrahman Mohammed’s claim to be acting national chairman and reinforced the commission’s position on who it recognizes as the legitimate signatories of the PDP. According to analysts, this has significant implications for the power struggle within the party, particularly for factions seeking to assert control ahead of important elections.

The rejection drew attention across political circles, especially because Mohammed is believed to be backed by Nyesom Wike, the former governor of Rivers State, who has been associated with internal power tussles both within the PDP and in his interactions with national political actors. The development was widely interpreted as a setback for the Wike-supported faction and a strengthening of the group aligned with those who convened the recognized national convention and leadership changes within the party.

In political commentary that followed the revelation, several observers noted that INEC’s firm stance appears to signal a broader commitment to upholding internal party democracy and clarity in leadership structures. The commission’s refusal to entertain ambiguous or faction-driven correspondence might also reflect an effort to discourage political manipulation of electoral processes. For the PDP, still grappling with persistent divisions, the decision underscores the need for unity, lawful conduct, and clear legitimacy in leadership if it intends to maintain stability and compete effectively in future elections.

With the Ekiti primary already concluded and a candidate duly produced, the internal struggle over correspondence and recognition now shifts to the broader leadership battle within the PDP. The INEC decision serves as a reminder that legitimacy in politics is not derived solely from influence or factional control but must also comply with legal and institutional frameworks governing party operations in Nigeria.