Concerns over possible confrontations heightened on Sunday following plans by a caretaker committee backed by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, to reopen the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) national secretariat at Wadata Plaza, Abuja, with police support on Monday.
The planned takeover was confirmed last Thursday by Samuel Anyanwu, national secretary of the Wike-backed faction, who spoke after a closed-door meeting at the headquarters of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). Anyanwu said the faction would assume control of the secretariat on Monday.
The development marks the latest twist in a protracted leadership crisis within the PDP, pitting the Tanimu Turaki (SAN)-led faction—backed by several governors, including Seyi Makinde of Oyo State and Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State—against a 13-member caretaker committee constituted by the Wike-backed group.
The Turaki faction has continued to assert the legitimacy of the PDP national convention held in Ibadan on November 15, 2025. However, that convention was nullified by a ruling of the Federal High Court sitting in Ibadan, Oyo State, a judgment the caretaker committee insists remains valid and binding.
Previous attempts by the two factions to gain access to the Wadata Plaza secretariat have resulted in clashes, forcing police intervention and the eventual sealing of the premises.
Addressing journalists, the caretaker committee’s Publicity Secretary, Jogudo Mohammed, said the police had been directed to reopen the secretariat in line with the Ibadan court judgment. He disclosed that fumigation and a general clean-up of the facility would commence once access was granted.
“We expect the Wadata Plaza secretariat to be opened on Monday for party activities,” Mohammed said. “Because the office has been under lock and key for some time, fumigation and cleaning are necessary. Once that is completed, preparations for the sale of nomination forms will begin.”
According to him, the sale of nomination forms for elective positions ahead of the party’s proposed March convention, including ad hoc forms, is scheduled to begin on Tuesday at the secretariat.
Mohammed emphasized that the court judgment remained enforceable, noting that the filing of an appeal did not amount to an automatic stay of execution. He warned that any attempt by members of the Turaki-led National Working Committee, who were barred by the court from parading themselves as national officers, to disrupt activities at the secretariat could amount to contempt of court.
“Any individual restrained from acting as a national officer who attempts to obstruct lawful activities at the secretariat may be held in contempt and will bear responsibility for any action taken by law enforcement agencies,” he said.
A senior member of the caretaker committee, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said security agencies, including the police, had been duly served with certified true copies of the Ibadan court judgment. The source added that barricades at Wadata Plaza would be removed and normal party activities restored.
The Turaki-led faction, however, cautioned against what it described as self-help, insisting that the matter was still pending before the courts. The faction’s National Publicity Secretary, Ini Ememobong, said responsibility for any breakdown of law and order would lie with the police.
“Our suit is still pending before Justice Abdul Malik, and the appeal before the Court of Appeal is also alive,” Ememobong said. “Everyone should exercise restraint. Whatever happens today, including any violence or destruction of property, will be on the head of the police.”
Former PDP National Vice Chairman (South West), Eddy Olafeso, also downplayed the secretariat dispute, expressing optimism that the Court of Appeal would resolve the wider crisis.
“The secretariat is just a minor issue,” Olafeso said. “The Court of Appeal will decide all issues. This crisis will not be the end of the PDP. Despite the challenges, we remain hopeful that justice will prevail and give respite to committed members determined to keep the party alive.”
As events unfold, attention remains fixed on Wadata Plaza, amid fears that the unresolved leadership tussle could once again test security agencies and deepen divisions within the opposition party.
