BY GODWIN OBI
The struggle for control of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) shifted yesterday from the convention ground in Ibadan to the party’s national secretariat, Wadata Plaza, Abuja, where two rival factions clashed over leadership authority.
Tension erupted when both groups, led by National Chairman Kabiru Tanimu Turaki and Acting National Chairman Abdulrahman Mohammed, arrived separately to hold their meetings. By 8 a.m., the Wike/Mohammed faction—including National Secretary Senator Samuel Anyanwu and their Board of Trustees Chairman, Sam Ohuabunwa—took over the secretariat for their NEC and BoT meetings.
Two hours later, Turaki, newly elected at the Ibadan convention, arrived with Governors Seyi Makinde (Oyo), Bala Mohammed (Bauchi), Dauda Lawal (Zamfara), and Deputy Chairman Taofeek Arapaja for an inaugural NWC meeting. His faction had days earlier expelled 11 members, including FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, Anyanwu, and others.
Police fired tear gas to disperse rival supporters after Turaki’s group forced their way into the NEC Hall. Turaki and his team were preparing to leave when informed that Wike was headed to the premises, prompting them to remain inside. Wike did not come down from his vehicle but stayed within the compound.
Turaki accused the rival camp of disruption and claimed he had come to “take over” the secretariat. He called for international intervention, alleging threats to Nigerian democracy.
Anyanwu Faction Expels Three Governors, Other Chieftains
After its own NEC meeting, the Anyanwu-led faction announced the expulsion of Governors Makinde, Bala Mohammed, and Lawal, alongside BoT Chairman Adolphus Wabara, Turaki, Arapaja, Bode George, Senator Ben Obi, and others.
The communique said the expelled members violated court orders by organizing an “unauthorized convention,” leading to confusion, factionalism, and defections. NEC also ratified the dissolution of State Executive Committees in Bauchi, Oyo, Zamfara, Yobe, Lagos, Edo, and Ekiti, and directed caretaker committees to take charge.
The NEC reaffirmed Mohammed Abdulrahman as Acting National Chairman and instructed deputies to assume vacant NWC roles in acting capacity. It also mandated legal action to recover seats of officials who defected from the party.
Anyanwu maintained he remains National Secretary until December 8 and said security agencies were invited to maintain order.
Turaki: “I Have Taken Over the Secretariat”
After the Wike/Mohammed group left, Turaki addressed journalists from the National Chairman’s office, postponing the faction’s NWC meeting to today. He accused expelled members of attempting to disrupt party activities and expressed readiness to “defend democracy,” even calling on foreign nations to intervene.
He urged President Bola Tinubu to caution Wike “in the interest of peace,” while insisting he had fully assumed leadership as the elected National Chairman.
Police Deny Involvement in Scuffle
The FCT Police Command denied claims that its officers blocked Governor Bala Mohammed or participated in any physical confrontation. It said officers only intervened to clear private security personnel blocking movement into the secretariat.
The Command warned against spreading misleading information and reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining peace and supporting lawful activities in the FCT.
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