There was tension at the national headquarters of the
Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Abuja on Tuesday, as former Benue State
Governor, Samuel Ortom, was reportedly escorted out of the PDP National
Executive Committee, NEC, Hall during a press briefing addressed by Governors
Seyi Makinde of Oyo State and Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State.
Voices were heard in a video saying, “Let him out, who is
he? This is not your PDP,” as Ortom made his way into the hall amid the power
struggle between factions within the party.
The incident occurred following
attempts by opposing factions to hold parallel meetings at the Wadata Plaza
headquarters.
The National Working Committee, NWC, elected in Ibadan and
the faction aligned with the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, had both scheduled
separate meetings for the day, leading to a confrontation.
Earlier, members of the pro-Wike faction, led by National
Secretary Samuel Anyanwu, arrived at the secretariat, but a fight later broke
out, resulting in their reported removal from the premises.
Makinde, Bala Mohammed and newly elected PDP National
Chairman, Taminu Turaki, eventually gained access to the NEC hall to conduct
their meeting.
Addressing journalists afterward, Turaki alleged that a
serving minister led thugs to disrupt activities at the secretariat with the
support of security operatives.
He appealed to the international community, particularly
U.S. President Donald Trump, to intervene, claiming that democracy in Nigeria
was under threat.
Turaki insisted that party loyalists were prepared to defend
their mandate, stating that stakeholders and global observers should pay close
attention to developments within the PDP.
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