At Meeting with Political Parties, INEC Recognises Wike-backed PDP, Usman’s LP

• LP hails electoral body

Chuks Okocha and Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja

In compliance with a recent judgement of the Federal High Court, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has recognised the faction of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) led by Abdulrahman Mohammed and backed by Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike.

The Tanimu Turaki faction was recently sacked by the Federal High Court in Ibadan, Oyo State.

INEC’s tacit compliance with the court order became public knowledge following the decision of the electoral body to extend invitation to Wike’s faction to attend the commission’s first regular consultative meeting with political parties for 2026 held on Thursday in Abuja.

Both Mohammed and the embattled Acting National Secretary, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, were part of the meeting held at the commission’s headquarters.

The commission recognised the Wike faction of PDP, despite the fact that the Tanimu Turaki-led PDP had appealed the judgement of the Federal High Court.

The quarterly consultative meeting was meant for national chairmen and national secretaries of all registered parties recognised by the commission.

Also present were the caretaker committee of Labour Party led by Senator Nenadi Usman, the national chairman of All Progressives Congress (APC), Professor Yilwatda Nentawe, as well as representatives of the David Mark-led African Democratic Congress (ADC), among others.

Usman commended INEC for the recognition and invitation to its fourth quarterly meeting with political parties. A statement by her Senior Special Adviser on Media, Ken Asogwa, said in compliance with the judgement of the Federal High Court delivered on January 21, 2026, and following the recognition of Senator Nenadi Usman and Senator Darlington Nwokocha as Interim National Chairman and Secretary, respectively, of LP by INEC, the leadership of the party attended INEC’s Quarterly Consultative Meeting with leaders of political parties.

LP commended INEC for the invitation extended to its leadership and for its commitment to upholding truth and justice.

The party stated that while INEC had earlier complied with the judgement of the Federal High Court by publishing Senator Nenadi Usman and Senator Darlington Nwokocha’s names on its official portal, this singular invitation further affirmed and accorded full legitimacy to the current leadership of the party.

LP commended the present leadership of INEC, led by Amupitan, for its steadfast adherence to the rule of law.

It stated, ‘’As a minister in the temple of justice, his leadership skills, which we witnessed today, have proven him to be a round peg in a round hole.

‘’While the crisis that previously rocked the Labour Party was protracted and torturous, the party is pleased that this unfortunate chapter has now been firmly laid to rest.

‘’The Labour Party remains profoundly grateful to its teeming supporters for their patience, resilience, and unwavering faith in the party; to the media for their professionalism and courage in standing on the side of truth; and to all lovers of democracy in Nigeria who stood by the party throughout the trying period.’’

PDP: No Cause for Alarm for None Invitation

Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) said it was not worried over non-invitation by INEC to the quarterly meeting with political parties.

In a statement by PDP National Publicity Secretary, Comrade Ini Ememobong, the party said,  ‘’We are aware that the Independent National Electoral Commission invited the leaders of political parties to a meeting today and extended the invitation to some former members of our party who are purporting to lead a so-called National Caretaker Committee, to represent our party, whereas there is no such provision in our constitution.

“This action, though ordinarily vexatious and capable of causing widespread breach of peace, will be met with all possible legal response.

‘’Though not unexpected of this current INEC leadership, it is expected that an impartial umpire would have taken notice of the pendency of the matters in the Court of Appeal (including the judgement which they are relying upon), which when decided, will effectively affect the subject under consideration; and exercised restraint, therefrom. We can assure that INEC will not choose a leadership for our party.”

The statement said, “Consequently, we urge all our members to remain calm and hopeful that soonest the Court of Appeal will hear and determine all the cases concerning the leadership of our party.

‘’We assure you all that the rebirth movement of our party, under the able leadership of Kabiru Tanimu Turaki, SAN is steady and secure, and will ultimately surmount all these challenges, to present a stronger and more united party to Nigerians, as a credible alternative to the ruling party that has brought untold sorrows, tears and blood to Nigerians.’’