PDP: INEC Clarifies, Says “We Have Not Recognized Any Faction”

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, on Saturday, February 7, 2026, dismissed claims suggesting that it has accorded recognition to one  of the contending factions within the Peoples Democratic party PDP .

The clarification is coming against the backdrop of widespread claims by the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike-backed Abdulraham Mohammed-led National Working Committee, NWC of the PDP that it has been recognized as the authentic leadership of the beleaguered party, following the recent Ibadan Federal High Court pronouncement nullifying the November 15 and 16, 2025, Ibadan National Convention of the party which threw up the Tanimu Turaki-led NWC

The speculated recognition had arisen from the attendance of the Wike-backed group at  INEC’s interactive session with leaders of political parties on Thursday February 6, 2026, in Abuja.

The Turaki-led PDP National leadership was conspicuously absent at the meeting, further fueling reports that the INEC may have given its stamp of approval to the Abdulraham Mohammed-led NWC .

But at a media briefing on Saturday ,INEC’s Deputy Director, Osilama Ifogah, noted that the attendance of the Wike-backed faction at its meeting does not, in anyway, amount to its recognition as the authentic faction of the PDP.

According to the INEC’s spokesperson, the PDP as a party was invited to the said meeting just the way other parties were invited, not on the basis of individuals.

“Invitations are extended to parties, and not individuals. And they are addressed to the Chairmen and Secretaries.

“Whoever the party sends as their representatives is okay by the Commission because the letters of invitation are sent to the party, not individuals.

“As far as the party is concerned, we are not sure who comes. It is just the party that sends people and it is not the business of INEC to start verifying and questioning such representations.

“As a matter of policy, INEC doesn’t meddle into party’s internal affairs . Most times, you find out that it is either the person will say he/she is representing the Chairman, or the person is the Chairman himself/herself, with the next person probably standing in for the Secretary.

“The bottom line is that as  far as the parties are concerned, we (INEC) are not sure who comes. It is just the party that sends people”, Ifogah noted.

He emphasized, however, that no particular faction and group has been recognized as the authentic leadership contrary to widespread insinuations .

According to him, the INEC does not border itself with the leadership and internal crises within political parties.

“The internal crisis of the party has nothing to do with INEC. We don’t border about that. When ever they settle, we work.

“The only thing or advice we usually give the parties is that whatever be the problems at stake, they should settle it before we have activities”, the INEC’s spokesperson added