Chaos at PDP national secretariat as factional leaders engage in supremacy battle

.Wike group expels Wabara, Bode George, Makinde, Mohammed, others

.Turaki begs Trump to intervene, retakes secretariat after hours occupation by Anyanwu, others

.ADC condemns violent attacks at Wadata Plaza, says democracy at cross road

.MCE warns politicians against misuse of police

CYRIL MBAH and IGNATIUS OKOROCHA, Abuja

A faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) loyal to the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike, on Tuesday drove out workers and took over the Wadata House national secretariat of the party located at Wuse Zone 5 of the Federal Capital Territory, barring the Makinde faction led by newly elected National Chairman, Barr Kabiru Turaki from gaining entry into the premises.

Members of the Wike faction, led by its National Chairman, Alhaji Abdulrahman Mohammed, stormed the secretariat building with thugs early Tuesday morning, escorted by truckloads of heavily armed police personnel, who also took strategic positions at entry points to the secretariat and prevented access into the building.

The Wike faction had announced in a notice on Monday that it planned to hold its Board of Trustees (BoT) and National Executive Committee (NEC) meetings at the secretariat.

Signs of growing tension were noticed late Monday evening when the two rival Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) factions insisted on scheduling counter meetings for Tuesday at the party secretariat even as the newly elected PDP National Chairman, Kabiru Turaki, SAN, petitioned the police and asked for protection for the success of his group’s meeting.

Announcing the decision of his faction to hold the inaugural meeting of its National Working Committee (NWC) at the National Secretariat, Turaki, who spoke with journalists at the Federal Capital Territory Police Command Headquarters, said he informed the Commissioner of Police, Mr.Miller Dantawaye, ahead of the meeting to provide proper security for the attendees.

“We came here to have an interface with the Commissioner of Police regarding our inaugural NWC meeting, to which we have invited our governors, our National Assembly members and our founding fathers,” Turaki explained.

Turaki declared that the FCT Minister and his loyalists have been expelled and have ceased to be members of the PDP, pointing out that their expulsion was properly ratified by the just-concluded national convention of the PDP held in Ibadan, Oyo State.

According to him, “It’s the national convention which expelled them. So, they are no longer members of the party.

“We have reported their moves to the police, and the police have assured us of adequate protection during our meeting.”

He reaffirmed his determination to reclaim the secretariat and exercise the mandate of his office.

“We are holding the meeting at the PDP National Secretariat. Any other persons trying to occupy the secretariat would be doing so illegally.

“We did not invite the police to lock up our secretariat. We will go there and defend our lives, our property, and our party. We are prepared to lay down our lives to defend our party,” Turaki concluded.

However, as the situation deteriorated, the Police fired teargas to disperse the crowd that gathered when members of the Makinde faction also arrived at the national secretariat and attempted to forcefully gain entrance into the building.

At the middle of the chaos, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, arrived the PDP secretariat to participate in the emergency meeting of the National Executive Committee (NEC) and Board of Trustees (BoT) of his faction, organised by embattled National Secretary, Senator Samuel Anyanwu.

The Wike faction, chaired by Abdulrahman Mohammed, held its BoT meeting at 11 a.m., with the NEC scheduled for 2 p.m. at the same venue.

The group emphasised that attendance was mandatory, noting that “crucial matters” would be addressed during the sessions.

Heavy security presence was provided within and outside the PDP national secretariat premises, and the chaotic situation forced the Makinde faction to postpone its planned meeting until Wednesday, November 19, 2015.

Meanwhile, Turaki has taken over the Wadata Plaza national secretariat of the PDP late evening on Tuesday after members of the Wike-led faction of the party were flushed out by police personnel from the FCT Police Command.

Turaki immediately addressed party stakeholders including Bauchi State Governor, Mohammed and Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde in attendance and the media challenging the authority of ministers to act as if they are above the law.

Addressing the gathering, Turaki appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to call the FCT Minister Nyesom Wike to order stating that the conduct of the Minister has become a matter of public concern.

While stating that enough is enough, Turaki said that but for the maturity and restraint shown by the Makinde faction of the PDP, there would have been avoidable blood shed at the party secretariat.

He called on foreign countries to reign in on the Federal Government and the ruling All Progressives Congress and prevent them from subverting the nation’s democracy with acts of impunity and misuse of security personnel.

Meanwhile, the All Progressives Congress (APC) has strongly condemned the call for foreign invasion of Nigeria by the new factional Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Turaki.

The APC observed that while addressing stakehokders and the press on Tuesday over the crisis ravaging the PDP, Turaki had called on foreign powers to intervene in Nigeria to save the country from alleged “Christian genocide” and to protect democracy.

While describing Turaki’s call for foreign invasion of Nigeria as reckless and unpatriotic, in a statement signed by Barr Felix Morka, National Publicity Secretary, the
APC said that it was more than funny for “a man declared National Chairman barely 72 hours ago by a faction of a deeply fractured party, to look and sound so desperate, and at his wit’s end, confused, incoherent, and grossly lacking in stamina and capacity to manage his party’s crisis.

He said, “Nigerians expected that Turaki would set himself on an urgent peace-building mission to bring his party’s warring factions together in dialogue towards finding possible pathways to peace and reconciliation.
Instead, Turaki’s first official act as factional chairman was his call for foreign invasion of Nigeria as a solution to the self-inflicted internal crisis of his PDP.

“That is as shameless as it is a dangerous threat to national security and sovereignty.
“Under the PDP’s 16 years in power, with its ruthless subversion of opposition parties, there was never a call for foreign invasion of Nigeria as a solution to crisis within opposition parties of that era.

“Turaki’s call is not only an admission of the party’s incapacity to manage its internal contradictions, it must be taken as a final certification of the PDP’s demise.

“We trust the international community to dismiss the PDP’s disgraceful and unpatriotic call as a pitiful distraction from the failure of its internal democracy and embarrassing disintegration.

“The heightened desperation of the PDP and other opposition leaders is now clear for all to see.

“Turaki’s call shows how far they are willing to go, even to the extent of actively seeking the destructive intervention of foreign powers on Nigerian soil in order to serve their sinister political agenda.

“We urge Nigerians to stand firm in support of our great Party, and the visionary leadership of President Bola Tinubu as we continue the arduous task of building progress and prosperity in all areas of our national life,” the APC statement concluded.

Also yesterday, the factional National Executive Committee (NEC) of the PDP led by Alhaji Abdulrahman Mohammed, has purportedly expelled governors Seyi Makinde of Oyo, Bala Mohammed of Bauchi and Dauda Lawal of Zamfara from the party.

The faction also expelled the the party’s new National Chairman, Sen. Tanimu Turaki, Board of Trustees Chairman, Sen. Adolphus Wabara and Deputy National Chairman (South), Taofeek Arapaja.

Also expelled, according to the group, are the Chairman, Caretaker Committee for South-South, Emmanuel Ogidi and others for alleged anti Party activities.

Attempts by the Makinde and Mohammed backed faction and that supported by Minister of FCT, Nyesom Wike, to hold their meetings at PDP headquarters on Tuesday caused clashes between the two groups.

The embattled National Secretary of the party, Sen. Samuel Anyanwu, said this while presenting the communique of the controversial 103 National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting held by the faction at the party’s national secretariat in Abuja on Tuesday.

He said that the factional NEC ratified the expulsion of the affected members.

He said they they well expelled over alleged disregard for court judgements, an action he said put the party in disrepute.

Anyanwu said that the NEC expressed deep concern over the actions of some members who violated subsisting court orders by organising and attending a purported and unauthorized convention.

This act, according to him, triggered confusion, factionalisation, and the defection of governors and legislators nationwide.

“NEC received the report of the acting National Chairman, Abdulrahman Mohammed, detailing breaches of Articles 58(1) and 59(1), including anti-party activities, disobedience to court orders, and conduct bringing the Party into disrepute.

“NEC approved the commencement of disciplinary procedures against the following; Adolphus Wabara, Olabode George, Ben Obi, Kabiru Tanimu Turaki (SAN), Bala Mohammed, Oluseyi Makinde, Dauda Lawal, Taofiq Arapaja, and Setonji Koshoedo.

“Others include Okechukwu Obiechina Daniel, Woyengikuro Daniel, Mohammed Kadade Suleiman, Emmanuel Ogidi, Sumaila Adamu Burga, Umar Sani, Udom Emmanuel and Emmanuel Enorden.

“NEC further resolved that Chief Ali Odefa must refund all salaries and allowances collected after his expulsion on 12 December 2024. These actions are taken to preserve order and discipline within the Party,” he said.

Anyanwu said that the NEC also ratified the dissolution of party State Executive Councils of Bauchi, Oyo, Zamfara, Yobe, Lagos, Edo, and Ekiti.

He said that the NEC directed the NWC to constitute caretaker committees and begin fresh congresses immediately while it recognised the Edo exco led by Nosa Ogieva.

“NEC directed Deputies in all National Working Committee positions now vacant owing to expulsion to assume the substantive positions in acting capacity and function as NWC members.

“NEC also formally ratified the appointment of Alhaji Mohammed Abdulrahman, as the Acting National Chairman of the party.

“NEC directed the legal team and NWC to commence immediate constitutional action to recover seats of all elected officials who defected from the PDP, in line with Sections 68(1)(g) and 109(1)(g) of the 1999 Constitution,” he said.

Anyanwu added that the NEC also approved a party-wide reconciliation initiative to heal divisions and rebuild trust, while ensuring that reconciliation did not undermine discipline.

He also disclosed that a nationwide membership audit and revalidation would begin ahead of the 2027 elections.

“NEC acknowledged the anxieties among members but assures the Party faithful that these decisions are aimed at stabilising and strengthening the PDP.

“The NEC affirms that the era of indiscipline is over. The PDP will not bow to lawlessness or personal ambition.

“With unity, discipline, and renewed purpose, the PDP will rebuild stronger and restore public confidence ahead of the next electoral cycle,” he said.

Earlier in their opening remarks, the BoT Chairman, Sen. Mao Ohuabunwa and Abdulrahman urged the party members to remain steadfast, expressing confidence that the PDP will surmount its problems.(NAN).

Similarly the newly elected National Working Committee (NWC) of the PDP, led by the national chairman, Kabiru Turaki has saluted Nigerians and all members of the party for their solidarity with the PDP in its struggle against alleged tyranny and attempt by undemocratic elements to hijack the party’s national secretariat.

In a statement issued on Tuesday evening by Comrade Ini Ememobong, the National Publicity Secretary of the
party saud the “support, courage and resilience demonstrated by Nigerians as our party resisted and triumphed over state-backed aggression further confirms the PDP as the party of choice for Nigerians as we march to take over power in 2027.

The statementreads in full: “Nigerians celebrated when the National Chairman, accompanied by the Governors of Bauchi and Oyo States, Sen. Bala Mohammed and Engr. Seyi Makinde arrived at the National Secretariat of our Party for the inaugural meeting of the new executive elected at the successful National Convention in Ibadan
Oyo State Capital.

“However, upon arrival, compromised personnel of the Nigeria Police Force and thugs reportedly recruited by the expelled former National Secretary of the Party, Sen. Samuel Anyanwu and apparently endorsed by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, who was also expelled from our party, barricaded the entrance and attempted to prevent our leaders from accessing the premises.

“Without any provocation, they fired tear-gas cannisters at the governors, NWC members, party leaders and peaceful supporters.

This reckless action triggered a stampede and resulted in multiple injuries.
“They fired over 200 canisters at unarmed and harmless citizens who had gathered to witness a lawful party meeting.

“Despite these acts of aggression, party supporters and Nigerians present, stayed firm and courageous, insisting that the right leadership of the party must be allowed to run the party without external influence.

In the end, they prevailed and the NWC members had access to the National Secretariat.
“For the avoidance of doubt, this struggle transcends the PDP.

It is about the survival of electoral democracy in Nigeria, a system that depends fundamentally on the existence of a vibrant and independent opposition.

This attack on opposition under the authority of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu constitutes a direct threat to the survival of our democracy.

“When opposition is suppressed, the core democratic principles of institutionalised uncertainty disappears, reducing elections to mere uneventful events with predetermined outcomes.

“Electoral authoritarianism and expansionist disposition of the ruling party destroyed previous republics, and contemporarily we are witnessing the dangerous return of weak institutions, compromised security agencies, and an over-zealous ruling party in this Republic.

“We therefore call on all democracy-loving nations, institutions, and individuals to rise in unison and unequivocally condemn this brazen assault on democratic freedom in Nigeria.

“The PDP, as the leading opposition party poised to take over power in 2027, remains resolute and unwavering in its commitment to defend our democracy and the wellbeing of all Nigerians.

“We urge security agencies not to yield themselves as tools in the hands of oppressors but to protect democracy and ensure security of Nigerians at all times.

They should also focus more on combating insurgency, banditry and widespread insecurity instead of facilitating attacks on opposition parties.

“This NWC reassures Nigerians that the PDP will continue to resist every attempt antidemocratic agents set out to derail the party and democracy.
Nigeria’s democracy must endure,” the statement concluded.

In a related development, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) has strongly condemned what it describes as a “disturbing and dangerous assault on democracy” following the violent attack on the national secretariat of the PDP in Abuja by armed men under the command of senior officials of the ruling party, warning that the country’s democracy is under siege.

In a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, the ADC criticised the Tinubu administration for employing violence in its bid to take control of another political party. The party warned that such actions are a direct threat to multiparty democracy and advance the ruling party’s desire to entrench a one-party rule in Nigeria.

The full statement read:
“The African Democratic Congress (ADC) strongly condemns, the brazen invasion and violent takeover of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) National Secretariat in Abuja on Tuesday, November 14, 2025, by agents of the APC Federal Government.

‘The incident, without doubt, is a dangerous assault on Nigeria’s democracy, which must be condemned by everyone, regardless of party affiliation.

“Based on its various actions and machinations since coming to power, this government’s anti-democratic credentials are no longer in doubt. However, this latest assault represents a new and dangerous low, even by the already-worrying standards of the Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration.

“With this action, the government is sending a chilling message that it would do anything and employ any means, including acts of terror, to advance partisan political interests. If the government could send armed agents to enforce factional control of an opposition headquarters, what stops it from doing the same to labour unions, press organisations, student movements, or peaceful protest groups?

“Therefore, let no one make the mistake of thinking that this is a PDP matter. This attack affects the future of democracy in Nigeria and sets a dangerous background for the 2027 general elections.

“The ADC therefore views this invasion as another episode, albeit a more sinister one, in the ruling party’s insidious efforts to destabilise opposition parties and undermine Nigeria’s future as a multiparty democracy.

“We therefore call on all Nigerians and Nigeria’s international partners to take note of this dangerous situation and to engage the Nigerian government on the need to uphold democratic norms, respect civil liberties, and prevent further descent into authoritarian behaviour.

“As a party, we also demand an independent investigation into the role of the Nigerian Police and other security forces in this disgraceful action. We also call on President Bola Tinubu to rein in his political operatives before they send the country into chaos”.

Meanwhile, a politucal pressure group, known as the Movement for Credible Elections (MCE) has condemned in the strongest terms, the alleged reckless deployment of the Nigeria Police Force as political weapons in the orchestrated chaos that unfolded at the national secretariat of the PDP in Abuja on Tuesday.

In a statement signed by Comrade Olawale Okunniyi, the Head of Secretariat, the Movement for Credible Elections (MCE) pointed out that the disturbing scenes of police officers openly taking sides in a political dispute between the newly elected PDP National Chairman, Barr. Tanimu Turaki, SAN, and the faction led by the sacked Acting National Chairman, Abdulrahman Mohammed—widely known to be aligned with the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, represented a dangerous descent into institutional abuse.

“It is unheard of and indeed unacceptable that the Nigeria Police will queue behind political actors to physically confront one another at any party secretariat.

“This appalling misconduct mirrors the disorderly behaviour recently seen in the viral video of the FCT Minister’s altercation with a military officer, where police personnel were seen charging at soldiers guarding a disputed property in Abuja. These incidents collectively portray a pattern of executive lawlessness that threatens Nigeria’s already stressed, fragile democracy.

“MCE warns that the brazen politicisation of the police and law enforcement agents poses a grave threat to the democratic future of Nigeria and undermines public confidence ahead of the 2027 general elections. No democracy can survive when security institutions become extensions of powerful political interests rather than guardians of law and order.

“We therefore call on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, as Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, to immediately call his Minister, Nyesom Wike, to order and restore professionalism and neutrality within the security agencies. Nigeria cannot afford a descent into executive impunity and disorder driven by personal political battles.

“The present misguided power tussle within the ruling class has clearly put democracy in Nigeria under attack and serious threat of destabilization and chaos.

“To this end, we urge all Nigerians to rise and join the MCE in protecting our Democracy and Institutions like the police. Order must be restored and we must all say no to executive lawlessness and rascality of the Nigerian ruling class,” the statement concluded.

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