Tension erupted at the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) National Secretariat in Wadata Plaza, Abuja, on Tuesday, as rival factions clashed over the party’s leadership, forcing police officers to fire teargas in a bid to restore order.
According to reports from Channels Television, trouble started after the arrival of Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde, Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed, and the faction backing the newly elected PDP National Chairman, Kabiru Turaki. Their presence immediately triggered resistance from supporters loyal to Senator Samuel Anyanwu, who physically attempted to block their entry into the party headquarters.
The standoff intensified when security operatives aligned with the Federal Capital Territory Minister, Nyesom Wike, joined the confrontation. Police struggled to separate the groups as teargas was deployed to disperse the escalating crowd around the premises.
Governor Makinde eventually managed to enter the secretariat alongside the newly elected National Secretary, Taofeek Arapaja. Meanwhile, FCT Minister Nyesom Wike remained inside his vehicle for over 30 minutes, choosing not to step out amid the growing unrest. He stayed aligned with Senator Samuel Anyanwu, the embattled former national secretary whose faction has refused to accept Turaki’s emergence.
After the situation eased slightly, Governors Makinde and Mohammed addressed journalists, narrating how they were met with resistance, intimidation, and the heavy use of teargas by security personnel. They described the incident as an unfortunate reflection of the deepening cracks within the PDP.
To restore calm, the police later ordered all party members and supporters to vacate the premises.
The confrontation marks yet another chapter in the PDP’s ongoing internal crisis—one that has pitted governors, ministers, and party loyalists against one another in a high-stakes struggle for control of the opposition party’s national structure.