PDP Turaki Faction Postpones Inaugural NWC Meeting After Violence Breaks Out at Wadata Plaza

Spread the love

Fresh tension has continued to grip the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) after a major leadership meeting scheduled by the faction led by Kabiru Turaki was postponed following violent scenes at the party’s national headquarters in Abuja.

The meeting, which was expected to mark the first official gathering of the faction’s National Working Committee (NWC), could not proceed as planned after supporters of rival groups clashed at Wadata Plaza, the party’s national secretariat.

According to Gossip News Now, the incident created a chaotic atmosphere around the premises, forcing security operatives to intervene and prompting the Turaki camp to delay its inaugural meeting until the following day.

Despite the earlier disruption, Turaki eventually entered the secretariat alongside a group of influential PDP leaders and stakeholders. His arrival was supported by several party figures who came to demonstrate solidarity with the newly formed leadership structure.

The delegation that accompanied the national chairman reflected the level of backing his faction currently enjoys within the party. Among those present were governors, lawmakers, former ministers, and senior party officials who gathered to show support for the new leadership direction.

Observers noted that the presence of prominent figures added weight to Turaki’s claim that his leadership enjoys significant support from within the party hierarchy.

Leaders Who Accompanied Turaki

Those reported to have joined the PDP chairman at the secretariat included:

Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde
Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed
Members of the National Assembly
Former governors and ex-ministers
State party chairmen and members of the Board of Trustees

Speaking after gaining access to the building, Turaki expressed appreciation to the Federal Capital Territory Police Command, stating that their intervention made it possible for his team to enter the premises despite earlier resistance.

He suggested that the earlier confrontation had been deliberately orchestrated by individuals determined to obstruct what he described as the party’s democratic process.

Turaki also revealed that he had previously alerted the police about materials circulating within the party that advertised separate meetings by another faction. According to him, those behind the announcements were no longer recognised within the party’s current structure.

Postponed Meeting and Party Agenda

While addressing journalists, the PDP chairman explained that the postponed meeting would now take place the following day. He maintained that the main objective of the gathering would be to begin rebuilding unity within the party.

Turaki emphasised that the leadership under his faction is determined to restore internal stability and reposition the PDP as a major political force in Nigeria.

Roots of the Leadership Dispute

The internal crisis within the PDP has its origins in disagreements surrounding the removal of former National Secretary Samuel Anyanwu. The decision triggered strong resistance from the faction aligned with Nyesom Wike, who insists that Anyanwu remains the legitimate office holder until the end of his tenure.

However, the Turaki-led leadership argues that the outcome of the party’s national convention in Ibadan effectively ended the authority of the previous officials.

Commentary and Analysis

The postponement of the NWC meeting demonstrates how deeply the PDP’s leadership crisis has affected its ability to conduct routine party activities. When a political party struggles to hold internal meetings without confrontation, it signals a broader institutional challenge.

Analysts believe the crisis represents a struggle not just over party offices but over the future direction of the PDP. Competing factions appear determined to assert control of the party structure ahead of future elections.

If reconciliation efforts fail, the prolonged dispute could weaken the PDP’s influence as a major opposition party. However, some observers argue that internal conflicts are sometimes part of political realignments that eventually produce stronger leadership structures.

For now, the focus remains on whether the rescheduled meeting will proceed peacefully and whether the party can begin rebuilding unity after weeks of internal battles.