The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has formally engaged the faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) aligned with Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister Nyesom Wike, signaling a possible shift in its position amid the party’s lingering leadership crisis.

INEC invited and admitted representatives of the Wike-backed group to its first quarterly stakeholders’ meeting with political parties for 2026, held on Thursday, February 5.

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The faction was represented by its Acting National Chairman, Abdulrahman Mohammed, and Acting National Secretary, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, who participated on behalf of the PDP.

The development follows a recent Federal High Court ruling in Ibadan which upheld the legitimacy of the party’s Wike-aligned National Caretaker Committee and reportedly directed INEC to accord it official recognition.

The PDP has remained deeply divided, with rival camps contesting control of the party’s national leadership structure. While the Wike-backed committee has scheduled a national convention for March 28–29, 2026, several governors and party stakeholders opposed to the faction have rejected some of its decisions.

INEC’s latest move is expected to further intensify internal disputes within the opposition party as both sides continue to battle for control ahead of future political contests.