Cynthia Ezegwu
Supporters of the Nyesom Wike-led faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) took control of the party secretariat and surrounding streets of Wadata Plaza, Wuse, Zone 5, Abuja, on Tuesday, intensifying the ongoing leadership crisis within the party.
The protesters, largely made up of women and youth groups, carried placards targeting the PDP National Chairman, Kabiru Tanimu Turaki, SAN, with inscriptions such as “No to Turaki” and “Turaki must go.” Turaki, a former Minister of Special Duties and Inter-Governmental Affairs, was elected National Chairman at a disputed convention on Saturday, which was boycotted by the Wike-led faction.
Both factions had earlier scheduled executive meetings at the secretariat on Tuesday. However, by 9:45 a.m., the Wike-backed group, led by the sacked Acting National Chairman, Abdulrahman Mohammed, had taken over the building. The takeover was bolstered by a significant presence of heavily armed police officers, who secured strategic positions along the adjoining streets leading to the secretariat.
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At the time of reporting, no member of the Turaki-led faction had arrived at the party headquarters.
The development marks a dramatic escalation in the ongoing power struggle within Nigeria’s main opposition party, with both factions claiming legitimacy and control over the PDP’s national leadership.
More details are expected as the situation unfolds.