By Nchetachi Chukwuajah
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has recognised the faction of the National Working Committee (NWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) backed by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike.
The recognition was reflected on INEC’s website on Monday, March 30, a day after the faction held its national convention in Abuja.
The website update showed the INEC listed Abdulrahman Mohammed as National Chairman and Senator Samuel Anyanwu as National Secretary, alongside other members of the party’s national leadership.
Recall that both Abdulrahman and Anyanwu emerged as the PDP’s national chairman and secretary during the PDP National Convention held on Sunday night at the velodrome of the National Stadium in Abuja.
Members of the NWC were re-elected through consensus after the national caretaker committee was dissolved.
The elected 21-man NWC members include Abdulrahman Mohammed as National Chairman, Aaron Chukwuemeka as Deputy National Chairman (South), Yusufu Akirikwen as Deputy National Chairman (North), and Anyanwu Samuel as National Secretary.
Others are Kolawale Olabisi as Deputy National Secretary, Odeyemi Oladiran as National Treasurer, Lado Marke as Deputy National Treasurer, Eyim Henry as National Financial Secretary, Grema Kyari as Deputy National Financial Secretary, Umar Bature as National Organising Secretary, Efere Augustine as Deputy National Organising Secretary, Jungudo Mohammed as National Publicity Secretary, and Egwu Chidiebere as Deputy National Publicity Secretary.
Also elected as NWC members are Kamaldeen Ajibade as National Legal Adviser, Aloysius Uba as Deputy National Legal Adviser, Osuoha Donatus as National Auditor, Adaba Seri Yatu as Deputy National Auditor, Ogunshe Adedayo as National Women Leader, Hauwa Shinge as Deputy National Women Leader, Ibrahim Aboki as National Youth Leader, and Momoh Bashir as Deputy National Youth Leader.
The recognition comes amid a lingering internal leadership crisis that factionalised the party with multiple court cases and power plays that cost the party a large number of its members, including 10 governors and many legislators across the country.
While one faction is loyal to the FCT Minister, Wike, another pledged allegiance to the national leadership headed by Kabiru Turaki as National Chairman, which is backed by governors Seyi Makinde of Oyo State and Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State.
