INEC Rejects Mohammed From Wike’s Camp as PDP Acting Chairman, Nullifies Anyanwu’s Letter

The lingering leadership crisis within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) deepened on Tuesday after the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) rejected a letter submitted by the faction loyal to former Rivers State governor Nyesom Wike.

 

The letter, jointly signed by Abdulrahaman Mohammed, who claimed to be the party’s acting national chairman, and former National Secretary Senator Samuel Anyanwu, sought the postponement of the PDP’s Ekiti State Governorship Primary earlier scheduled for November 8, 2025.

 

INEC, however, made it clear that the correspondence failed to meet the legal requirements for recognition, effectively nullifying Mohammed’s claim to the party’s leadership and affirming that the commission does not acknowledge the Wike-backed faction as legitimate officers of the party.

 

Faction Attempts to Halt Ekiti Primary

 

According to details first published by The Nation, the letter from the Anyanwu-led faction was sent to INEC on November 6, 2025—just two days before the scheduled primary. Titled “Postponement of PDP Ekiti State Congress/Governorship Primary,” the document claimed that “logistical challenges” had made it impossible for the party to conduct the primary as planned.

 

In the letter, Mohammed and Anyanwu informed the electoral body that a new date for the primary would be communicated after internal consultations. The letter read in part:

 

“We wish to inform you that the PDP Ekiti State Congress and Governorship Primary scheduled for November 8, 2025, has been postponed due to logistical reasons constraining this exercise… Please accept the assurances of my esteemed regards.”

 

 

But despite the attempt to halt the process, the mainstream PDP leadership proceeded with the primary as originally scheduled. The exercise went ahead in Ado-Ekiti on November 8, producing Dr. Wole Oluyede as the winner with 279 votes. He defeated two other aspirants—Funso Agent, who secured 239 votes, and Funmilayo Ogun, who polled 17 votes. The successful conduct of the primary suggested that the majority of the party’s national leadership and state delegates did not recognize the Anyanwu-Mohammed directive.

 

INEC Declares Submission Invalid

 

INEC’s official response, dated November 10, 2025, was addressed to the PDP National Secretary and referenced under INEC/DEPM/PDF/286/94. Signed by the Commission’s Secretary, Mrs. Rose Oriaran-Anthony, the letter categorically dismissed the faction’s request on the grounds of non-compliance with established regulations.

 

The commission cited Part 2(12)3 of the INEC Regulations and Guidelines for Political Parties, 2022, which mandates that any notice for a party congress, convention, conference, or meeting must be jointly signed by both the National Chairman and National Secretary of the party before being submitted to INEC.

 

INEC stated:

 

“The Commission draws your attention that the notice is not in compliance with the requirement of Part 2(12)3 of the Regulations and Guidelines for Political Parties, 2022, which provides that ‘the National Chairman and National Secretary of the Party shall jointly sign the notice of convention, congress, conference or meeting and submit the same to the Commission.’ Be guided.”

 

 

 

INEC concluded by informing the signatories that their correspondence “has been rejected for non-compliance with the requirements of the Electoral Act.”

 

By emphasizing that only the constitutionally recognized chairman and secretary can communicate binding decisions to INEC, the commission indirectly nullified Mohammed’s assertion that he had assumed leadership of the party in an acting capacity.

 

A Blow to the Wike-Aligned Faction

 

The rejection is widely seen as a significant setback for the Wike-backed bloc, which has been battling for control of the PDP’s National Working Committee (NWC). Abdulrahaman Mohammed’s claim to the position of acting chairman emerged amid internal disputes following the controversial suspension and resignation of certain party officials—a situation that has led to competing claims of legitimacy.

 

Political observers note that INEC’s position strengthens the authority of the mainstream leadership, which has continued to insist that no leadership change or interim appointment was duly ratified by the National Executive Committee (NEC), the highest decision-making organ of the party.

 

With INEC’s official position now on record, the legality and influence of the Wike-aligned faction are further weakened. The development also carries implications for upcoming off-cycle elections, as INEC will only recognize candidates and communications that emanate from the properly constituted leadership of the PDP.

 

Implications for Ekiti 2025 and PDP’s Internal Stability

 

The Ekiti governorship race, scheduled for mid-2026, is already drawing national attention given the PDP’s struggle to regain relevance in the South-West. The attempt by the Anyanwu-Mohammed faction to halt the primary raised concerns about a potential parallel primary—a phenomenon that has plagued the party in several states over the years.

 

By rejecting the postponement letter, INEC effectively validated the November 8 exercise and the candidacy of Dr. Wole Oluyede. However, analysts warn that litigations may still arise, especially if the disgruntled faction heads to court to challenge the primary’s legitimacy.

 

The PDP’s internal crisis—exacerbated by lingering grievances from the 2023 general elections, leadership tussles, and ideological differences—continues to test the party’s cohesion. With multiple factions pulling in different directions, the party is at risk of further fragmentation unless decisive reconciliation steps are taken.

 

What Comes Next for the PDP?

 

As of press time, the mainstream PDP leadership had not issued a formal reaction to INEC’s letter, though party insiders say the commission’s decision was “expected” and “in line with the law.” On the other hand, the Wike-backed faction may find itself increasingly isolated unless it manages to rally more support within the NEC or obtains favorable judicial intervention.

 

For now, INEC’s stance serves as a firm reminder that only the legally recognized national officers of political parties can make binding submissions to the commission.

 

The decision marks yet another chapter in the ongoing struggle for the soul of the PDP—one that could define the party’s trajectory heading into the 2027 general elections.