PDP Faction Sues IGP Over Sealing of National Secretariat

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A faction within the Peoples Democratic Party has initiated legal proceedings against the Nigeria Police Force over the continued closure of the party’s national headquarters in Abuja.

The legal challenge was filed at the Federal High Court by a group aligned with Kabiru Turaki. In the suit, the faction is asking the court to compel security authorities to reopen the party’s offices and withdraw officers stationed at the premises.

Representing the plaintiffs in the matter is senior lawyer Chris Uche, who submitted a Motion on Notice requesting urgent intervention by the court.

The dispute stems from events that occurred in November when police officers sealed the party’s headquarters following a confrontation between two rival groups within the PDP. One faction is associated with Turaki’s leadership, while the other is believed to have links to Nyesom Wike.

Tensions escalated when both sides reportedly scheduled separate meetings at the same venue on the same day. The situation quickly deteriorated into clashes among party supporters before security operatives intervened.

According to accounts from those present at the scene, officers dispersed the crowd using tear gas and subsequently barricaded the building with barbed wire. The action effectively prevented members of the Turaki-led leadership from holding an inaugural meeting that had been postponed earlier.

Turaki’s faction claims legitimacy from a national convention conducted in Ibadan in November, where he reportedly emerged as national chairman. However, the opposing camp rejected the outcome of that gathering, insisting that it violated existing judicial orders.

Prior to the convention, judges of the Federal High Court in Abuja had issued rulings restraining the party from conducting the exercise scheduled for mid-November 2025. Despite this development, a High Court sitting in Ibadan later granted permission through an ex parte order allowing the convention to proceed.

The ongoing court case, identified by suit number FHC/ABJ/CS/252/2025, was jointly filed by the PDP, Turaki, and Adolphus Wabara. In the application, the plaintiffs asked the court to prevent police authorities from sealing or restricting access to any party offices nationwide.

Among the specific reliefs sought is a directive compelling the police to remove barricades placed around the national secretariat located at Wadata Plaza in Wuse Zone 5, Abuja. The plaintiffs also want officers to vacate the party’s annex building, Legacy House, situated in the Maitama district of the capital.

An affidavit supporting the request was sworn by Taofik Arapaja. In his deposition, Arapaja alleged that the police action carried out on November 18, 2025 lacked lawful authorization.

According to him, the party had earlier informed security agencies—including the police and the Department of State Services—about plans for an emergency meeting involving key stakeholders. The purpose of the communication, he said, was to request security presence rather than enforcement measures.

He further claimed that instead of providing protection, security personnel deployed tear gas extensively and locked down the premises, preventing party leaders, staff members, and visiting governors from entering the building.

Among those allegedly denied access were the governors of Bauchi and Oyo states who had reportedly arrived for the meeting.

The plaintiffs argue that the closure of the headquarters has severely disrupted party operations. They say routine activities such as administrative work, policy coordination, membership management, and preparations for future elections have all been affected.

Another issue raised in the suit concerns the neutrality of law enforcement agencies. The plaintiffs maintain that the police, operating under the provisions of the Nigeria Police Act 2020, should remain impartial in political disputes.

They contend that the continued occupation of party offices by police officers creates the impression of political interference and undermines democratic processes.

In their submission to the court, the PDP faction insists that financial compensation would not adequately address the harm caused by the closure of its offices. Instead, they argue that reopening the premises is necessary to restore the party’s ability to function.

The group also emphasized that granting their request would ensure the police action is not perceived as having judicial endorsement while the broader dispute within the party continues to unfold.

Commentary and Analysis

The legal battle surrounding the PDP headquarters reflects deeper divisions within one of Nigeria’s major political parties. Internal disputes over leadership positions and conventions have often led to prolonged court cases that affect party stability.

In this situation, the involvement of security agencies has added another dimension to the conflict. While police intervention may have been intended to prevent violence, the decision to seal the party’s premises has become a point of contention.

Political analysts note that such conflicts can weaken party structures, particularly when factions rely on different court rulings to justify their positions. Conflicting judicial orders, as seen in the convention dispute, can also complicate efforts to resolve internal disagreements.

The case now before the Federal High Court will likely determine not only the immediate status of the PDP’s national secretariat but also influence how political parties and law enforcement agencies interact during internal crises.

For the PDP, resolving the leadership dispute quickly may be essential to maintaining organizational strength ahead of future elections.