A fresh wave of turmoil has engulfed the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as two rival power blocs — the newly elected leadership led by Kabiru Turaki and the faction loyal to Federal Capital Territory Minister, Nyesom Wike — attempted to hold parallel meetings at the party’s national headquarters, Wadata Plaza, Abuja, on Tuesday.
The standoff, which has been weeks in the making, escalated into chaos as police fired tear gas to disperse supporters when both groups arrived to assert control of the secretariat. Politicians, staff, and visitors were seen scampering for safety as armed operatives took over the premises.
Competing Claims to Legitimacy
The crisis stems from the controversial national convention held in Ibadan where Turaki and his team were elected as the new National Working Committee (NWC). The convention also reportedly expelled several Wike-aligned figures, including former Ekiti Governor Ayo Fayose, Samuel Anyanwu, and Wike himself.
Turaki’s camp insists that the Ibadan convention is legally valid and that only the newly constituted NWC has authority to convene meetings at the secretariat. His team had scheduled an inaugural NWC meeting for 10 a.m. on Tuesday.
But the Wike faction is challenging the legitimacy of the convention, citing procedural irregularities and unresolved court processes. In a show of defiance, Anyanwu and Abdulrahman Mohammed issued notices for an emergency Board of Trustees (BoT) meeting at 11 a.m., followed by a National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting at 2 p.m., all at the same venue.
Wike Faction Seizes Secretariat
By early morning, supporters of the Wike-aligned group had already taken control of the entrance to Wadata Plaza under heavy police protection. Turaki’s supporters who attempted to gain access were forcefully dispersed, leading to accusations that the police were being used to undermine the leadership elected at the Ibadan convention.
The dramatic scenes have raised fresh concerns about security, internal democracy, and the growing influence of external actors in party affairs.
Deepening Fault Lines
The crisis has triggered resignations and warnings from senior party figures. Former BoT Secretary, Mohammed Umar Makarfi, announced his resignation citing worries about zoning, legitimacy, and the dangerous direction of intra-party politics.
Analysts warn that the clash could consume top governors and further split the opposition party at a time it is expected to consolidate ahead of the 2027 elections.
What’s at Stake
Behind the chaos is a battle for control of the PDP’s strategic assets — including its secretariat, membership structure, financial accounts, and the authority to issue directives or call meetings. The faction that gains firm control of Wadata Plaza will be positioned as the de facto leadership of the PDP.
The party currently faces a legitimacy crisis with neither faction willing to back down. The next steps may depend heavily on the courts, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), and the stance of state governors.
Uncertain Road Ahead
As both sides dig in, the PDP risks descending further into division, weakening its standing as Nigeria’s leading opposition party. Without a swift resolution, the crisis could drag on for months and severely affect the party’s ability to present a united front in the next general elections.