Adewale Adebayo, the 2023 presidential candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), says the violent confrontation between rival factions of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) at the party’s national secretariat on Tuesday came as no surprise.

Gossip News Now reports that tensions escalated when factions aligned with Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde, Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed, and FCT Minister Nyesom Wike engaged in a heated struggle over control of the party’s headquarters amid a deepening leadership crisis.

Speaking during an interview on Arise Television on Wednesday, Adebayo criticised the PDP’s history of internal disorder, stating that the chaos was consistent with the party’s longstanding behaviour.

“With the catastrophe that occurred at the PDP headquarters yesterday, nobody should be surprised,” he said.

“When the PDP was in power, it operated lawlessly, engaging in rigging and manipulation. Now that they are out of government, they are simply turning on themselves.”

Adebayo also expressed concern over the conduct of the police during the incident, warning against their involvement in partisan disputes.

“The police belong to all Nigerians, but the PDP belongs only to its members,” he said. “I am deeply worried if the police are being used to support one faction or the other.”