A heavy presence of Nigerian Police operatives has been spotted at the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) headquarters at Wadata Plaza, Abuja, on Monday.
The Police secure the PDP headquarters amidst rising tension as two factions vow to hold their separate meetings at the party’s secretariat on Tuesday.
Earlier on Monday, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, an ally of Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, announced an emergency session of the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC) and Board of Trustees (BoT).
In a parallel move, a faction led by Abdulrahman Mohammed declared that its BoT meeting would be held at 11 a.m., followed by the NEC meeting at 2 p.m., insisting that attendance was compulsory as “crucial matters” would be discussed.
Meanwhile, Kabiru Turaki, the elected national chairman, announced at a convention held in Ibadan over the weekend that his faction would proceed with its own inaugural NEC meeting at Wadata Plaza on Tuesday.
Speaking to journalists shortly after submitting a petition at the police headquarters in Abuja, Turaki vowed to reclaim the secretariat and carry out his mandate.
“We intend to have an interface with the commissioner of police of the FCT regarding the meeting that we have planned for Wadata tomorrow,” he said.
“We are going to have the inaugural National Working Committee (NWC) meeting of our party.
“That is our expectation from them, and we will be there hoping the police will make sure they give us all the ample protection we are entitled to under the law—and that assurance will protect us.”
The crisis deepened after the Umar Damagum-led faction held a parallel national convention in Ibadan, where it expelled Wike, Anyanwu, former Ekiti governor Ayo Fayose, and eight others.
Those also removed include Umar Bature, Kamaldeen Ajibade, Mao Ohabunwa, Uwachukwu, George Turner, Dan Orbih, Abdulrahman Mohammed, Austin Nwachukwu, and Abraham Amah.
The Wike-aligned faction had attempted to halt the convention through the courts, but the opposing camp secured a favourable high court order in Oyo State, allowing the event to proceed.
