The national secretariat of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Abuja was sealed off by security operatives on Wednesday amid a deepening power struggle between two rival factions vying for control of the opposition party. The move comes as tensions within the party have reached a critical point, following violent clashes at the party’s headquarters the previous day that left leadership and supporters divided and unsettled.
Police and other security personnel blocked access to the secretariat using barbed wire and other barricades, preventing officials, staff, party members, and supporters from entering the premises. Officers stationed at the gate confirmed that the lockdown order “came from above,” but declined to provide further details, leaving the party and the public to speculate on the next steps in resolving the crisis.
Escalation of tensions
The confrontation that prompted the lockdown began on Tuesday when supporters of Tanimu Turaki, accompanied by prominent figures such as Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde, Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed, and members of the newly-elected PDP executive, arrived at Wadata Plaza for a scheduled meeting inside the party secretariat. Their arrival was immediately opposed by the faction loyal to Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, led by Samuel Anyanwu and his supporters, who insisted that they represented the legitimate leadership of the party. The standoff quickly escalated into heated verbal exchanges and scuffles, prompting police to intervene with tear gas to disperse the crowd and prevent further violence.
Eyewitnesses described scenes of chaos as both factions tried to assert control, with security forces struggling to maintain order amid angry party supporters. The clashes highlight the long-standing divisions within the PDP, which have intensified over recent months due to competing claims of legitimacy and leadership positions within the party hierarchy.
Claims of legitimacy deepen crisis
Both Turaki and Wike factions insist that they are constitutionally recognized as the rightful leaders of the PDP, a contention that has further eroded confidence in the party’s internal cohesion. The Turaki camp accused Wike’s faction of deliberately instigating Tuesday’s unrest as a strategy to forcibly seize control of the party secretariat, labeling the actions of their opponents as undemocratic and dangerous for Nigeria’s political stability. Speaking after the chaos, Turaki warned that the country’s democratic institutions were under threat and called on advanced democracies to intervene and help restore order, highlighting the potential national implications of the internal PDP crisis.
“Democracy is under threat. I am calling on all advanced democracies to come and save Nigeria,” Turaki said, standing alongside Governors Makinde and Bala Mohammed, emphasizing the broader consequences of the factional disputes for Nigeria’s political landscape.
Security presence continues amid uncertainty
As of Wednesday evening, police maintained a strong presence at the PDP national secretariat, barring entry to both factions and any other individuals, pending further directives from higher authorities. The lockdown underscores the severity of the dispute, which has not only paralyzed party operations but also fueled speculation about the future direction of the PDP ahead of upcoming elections. Analysts and political observers warn that unless a negotiated resolution is reached, the ongoing factional clashes could weaken the party’s electoral readiness and diminish its influence in Nigeria’s opposition politics.
The events at Wadata Plaza represent the latest chapter in a series of internal crises that have plagued the PDP in recent years, marked by disagreements over leadership succession, executive decisions, and party governance. Both camps are now awaiting official clarification from the party’s national leadership or intervention by political mediators to resolve the standoff and restore normal operations at the secretariat, but uncertainty continues to dominate the party’s internal atmosphere and public perception.