A new wave of tension swept through the national headquarters of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Tuesday as two opposing factions attempted to seize control of the party secretariat ahead of separate meetings planned by both camps.
The conflict centres on loyalists of former Rivers State Governor and current Minister of the FCT, Nyesom Wike, and the newly constituted National Working Committee (NWC) elected during the party’s convention in Ibadan. Both groups had scheduled meetings inside the Wadata Plaza headquarters, setting the stage for a showdown.
According to earlier reports, the Wike-aligned group, led by its National Secretary, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, stormed the secretariat early Monday, arriving with supporters determined to assert their authority.
Tension escalated shortly after their arrival when members of the rival camp confronted them, triggering heated arguments that quickly descended into chaos.
Eyewitnesses reported that a scuffle erupted as supporters from both sides jostled for space within the building. The atmosphere grew even more volatile when security operatives struggled to maintain order amid rising tempers.
In the midst of the unrest, Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde, Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed, and the newly elected National Chairman, Taminu Turaki, forcefully made their way into the PDP National Executive Committee (NEC) hall.
Backed by members of the Ibadan-produced NWC, the trio pushed through the crowd to ensure their scheduled NEC meeting proceeded as planned.
The leadership tension took another dramatic turn later in the day when fresh violence erupted at the secretariat. Police officers deployed to the scene reportedly fired teargas to disperse supporters after clashes intensified at the entrance, where Anyanwu’s faction attempted to block Makinde, Mohammed, and the Turaki-led executives from accessing the building.
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Tuesday’s confrontation marks yet another escalation in the ongoing leadership crisis rocking the PDP, deepening concerns over the party’s ability to maintain internal stability ahead of major political activities.
