By Deborah Nnamdi
Heavy security presence on Tuesday engulfed the national headquarters of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Abuja, as two rival factions—each claiming legitimate control of the party—attempted to hold parallel meetings at the same venue, triggering violent confrontations, barricades, and police intervention.
The crisis intensified shortly after the Samuel Anyanwu–led National Working Committee (NWC) arrived at Wadata Plaza. Anyanwu, who insists he remains the party’s national secretary until his tenure ends in December, settled into his office despite the escalating leadership dispute. He also confirmed that he personally invited the security operatives who had cordoned off major sections of the premises, describing it as standard procedure whenever the party expects a large gathering.
According to him, the deployment was to maintain order and prevent “intruders”—a veiled jab at the faction led by Kabiru Turaki (SAN), which also scheduled a meeting at the party headquarters.
The Turaki-led group emerged from a controversial national convention held in Ibadan on November 15, convened by a faction of the party led by Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde. At the convention, Turaki was elected national chairman, while prominent figures—including FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, former Ekiti State Governor Ayodele Fayose, and Samuel Anyanwu—were expelled for alleged anti-party activities. Eleven members were removed in total, following a motion moved by PDP chieftain Bode George and seconded by the Bauchi State chairman.
Anyanwu has dismissed the Ibadan convention as a “jamboree,” arguing that it was illegal and not reflective of the party’s structure. He said 16 states, including the entire South-East, had yet to conduct congresses, insisting that the outcomes of the event were neither inclusive nor communicated to INEC. “When I heard somebody at the convention saying we must obey the rules of the party, I laughed,” he said.
Tension reached a boiling point on Tuesday when the Turaki-led exco—accompanied by Governors Seyi Makinde and Bala Mohammed—arrived at Wadata Plaza. Their entrance was resisted by supporters of the Anyanwu faction, sparking a chaotic confrontation that quickly escalated. Police fired teargas to disperse the rival groups as pushing, shouting, and stone-throwing broke out at the party headquarters.
FCT Minister Nyesom Wike also arrived at the scene but remained inside his vehicle for over 30 minutes as chaos raged. Makinde and Mohammed later addressed journalists, recounting how they were teargassed and obstructed by supporters opposed to their faction.
The prolonged conflict marks one of the PDP’s most dramatic internal crises in recent years, as both groups continue to insist on their legitimacy while security operatives maintain heavy surveillance around the party secretariat.
