A major standoff unfolded on Tuesday at the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) national headquarters in Abuja as rival factions dug in, heightening the party’s escalating leadership crisis.
Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde, Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed, and the newly elected National Chairman, Tanimu Turaki, arrived at Wadata Plaza in a convoy. Due to the volatile atmosphere, they remained inside Bala Mohammed’s vehicle for several minutes as security operatives tightened control around the premises.
Simultaneously, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, was also seated in his vehicle within the compound, refusing to leave.
Earlier, Senator Samuel Anyanwu—leader of the pro-Wike faction—stormed the secretariat with a crowd of supporters and addressed journalists, ridiculing the Turaki-led leadership produced at the Ibadan convention and insisting that his group remained the legitimate PDP leadership.
Anyanwu and his supporters were set to hold their own meeting inside the NEC Hall when Makinde, Bala Mohammed and members of the newly inaugurated National Working Committee arrived.
Despite tight security barricades, Makinde and Bala forced their way into the NEC Hall and addressed reporters. They announced that the Board of Trustees (BoT) and National Executive Committee (NEC) meetings had been postponed to Wednesday due to rising tension.
Turaki declared that Anyanwu and his faction were “no longer members of the party” and vowed to defend the mandate given to the new NWC.
As the Turaki-led faction attempted to exit the secretariat, tension escalated dramatically when Wike forced his way through the heavy security presence and entered the complex. His arrival prompted Makinde, Bala and Turaki to remain inside the premises instead of departing.
Security personnel eventually ordered everyone—including journalists—to leave the area amid fears that the confrontation could spiral out of control.
However, the governors and PDP officials refused to exit, insisting they would not leave until Wike was also asked to vacate the premises.
