Security agencies stop thugs from disrupting PDP NWC meeting

Attempts by thugs to disrupt the meeting of the National Working Committee (NWC) of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) was frustrated in Abuja,  Wednesday, when staff, party members and security agencies arrested the situation from snowballing into another crisis.

There was heavy presence of security personnel at the party secretariat, including operatives from the Department of State Services (DSS), the Police, and the Civil Defence Corps.

The thugs loyal to the embattled PDP national secretary, led by one Emmanuel Okoronkwo, an aide to the ousted national secretary, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, clashed with members and some staff, when they blocked the entrance of the party’s national headquarters in a bid to stop members of the NWC from entering their offices. 

Similar incident occurred some few weeks back when the party Board of Trustees (BoT) held its meeting in Abuja.

Anyanwu has continually laid claim to the position of national secretary, after an Appeal Court in Enugu rejected him. The party has rejected Anyanwu’s claims, insisting that he has no legal basis to occupy the office.

Although the Supreme Court has reserved judgment in the legal brawl arising from who is the authentic secretary between Anyanwu and Hon. Udeh-Okoye, the apex court few days ago dismissed a motion for a stay of execution of a High Court judgment removing Anyanwu from office as national secretary and replacing him with Udeh-Okoye.

A witness told our correspondent that the scuffle began when supporters of Anyanwu entered the party premises.

The pro-Anyanwu supporters, he said, attempted to lock out some members of the PDP  NWC who were arriving for their usual midweek meeting. However, they were overpowered by staff, private security guards, and some police officers attached to the secretariat.