Ismaeel Aleem
A violent confrontation erupted at the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) National Secretariat in Wuse Zone 5, Abuja, on Tuesday as supporters of Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike and Governors Seyi Makinde of Oyo State and Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State fought for control of the party’s headquarters.
Eyewitnesses reported a free-for-all involving security details attached to the rival factions, with teargas canisters fired indiscriminately around the premises. The clash left party staff and visitors fleeing for safety amid thick clouds of smoke and deafening explosions.
The immediate trigger was a dispute over who occupies the office of National Secretary. Governor Makinde arrived at the secretariat with Senator Taofeek Arapaja, recently elected National Secretary at a controversial factional convention.
In defiance, Minister Wike maintained his presence with Senator Samuel Anyanwu, the incumbent National Secretary, who insists his tenure, extended by a court order, remains valid until 8 December 2025.
Riot policemen deployed to the scene were accused by senior PDP figures of taking sides, with some allegedly aiding one faction to gain entry while blocking the other.
“The Nigerian Police have abandoned neutrality and are now openly partisan,” a member of the party’s National Working Committee told journalists on condition of anonymity.
The crisis is the latest chapter in the protracted leadership tussle that has split the PDP into rival camps since the 2023 general election.
Acting National Chairman Umar Damagum has remained silent since the incident, while calls grow louder for an urgent National Executive Committee meeting to resolve the impasse.
No official statement has been issued by the police or the three principal actors as of the time of filing this report.
