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By Myke Agunwa
The deepening crisis within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) erupted into violent confrontation on Monday as newly elected National Chairman, Kabiru Tanimu Turaki (SAN), formally resumed duties at the party’s National Secretariat in Wadata Plaza, Abuja, amid fierce clashes between rival factions loyal to Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister Nyesom Wike and Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde.
Tension had been building since the party’s National Convention in Ibadan on November 15, where Turaki was overwhelmingly elected Chairman, while Wike, National Secretary Senator Samuel Anyanwu, former Ekiti State Governor Ayodele Fayose, and several others were expelled for alleged anti-party activities, sabotage, and attempts to undermine the party’s democratic processes. The Wike bloc immediately rejected the outcome, insisting they remained the authentic leadership and vowing to resist what they described as an “illegal takeover.”
On Tuesday morning, both factions mobilised heavily around Wadata Plaza. What began as heated verbal exchanges quickly deteriorated into physical scuffles as supporters hurled stones and other objects, prompting security personnel to intervene. Police officers deployed to the scene fired multiple rounds of tear gas to disperse the rival crowds, but the situation spiralled further out of control when Wike himself arrived with a convoy of loyalists, demanding access to the secretariat and insisting that his expulsion was invalid. Supporters aligned with Makinde resisted the move, pushing the confrontation to a dangerous crescendo.
The clashes left many scrambling for safety, including journalists and party officials who had gathered for Turaki’s scheduled inaugural National Working Committee (NWC) meeting. Several supporters sustained injuries in the melee, while tear gas seeped into the building and adjoining streets. The chaos underscored the widening gulf in the opposition party, which analysts warn could imperil its survival ahead of future electoral contests.
Despite the turmoil, Turaki, accompanied by Governors Bala Mohammed and Seyi Makinde, gained entry into the National Executive Committee (NEC) Hall after pushing through the barricades. Once inside, he addressed journalists in an emotionally charged speech, condemning what he called “enemies of democracy” and insisting the new leadership had reclaimed the party’s headquarters.
“I want to heartily welcome you to our Secretariat, the Wadata Plaza,” Turaki began. “We said in Ibadan after our election convention that we would come today to conduct our inaugural NWC meeting. But upon returning to Abuja, we discovered that some elements expelled by the National Convention—the highest decision-making organ of our party—had planned to disrupt this meeting.”
Turaki revealed that he had earlier met with the Commissioner of Police of the FCT to alert him of the planned meeting and the emergence of social media flyers announcing fake NEC and BOT meetings by the expelled group. “He assured us that he is going to protect us and provide security for our meeting. I am happy that he fulfilled this promise,” he said. He commended the police for ensuring the leadership gained access to the complex.
However, citing the disturbances and the violent actions of the opposing faction, Turaki announced that the inaugural NWC meeting had been postponed until Wednesday. “Due to some incidents caused by enemies of progress and enemies of democracy, we have decided to postpone this meeting. But I appreciate our leaders—our governors, National Assembly members, former governors, former ministers, BOT members, state chairmen, and members of the immediate past NWC—for their solidarity.”
Turaki accused the rival faction of deploying thugs armed with tear gas, claiming the gas used outside was not from the police. “I don’t know how they procured this tear gas and are spraying it on us. But this has not and will never deter us,” he declared.
He warned that democracy was under serious threat in Nigeria, alleging a coordinated attempt to destabilise the PDP. “If democracy crumbles, that will be the end of this country—God forbid. But for us in the PDP, if it means laying down our lives for democracy to survive in Nigeria, we are prepared to do that,” he said.
Turaki vowed that the party’s headquarters had been fully reclaimed by its legitimate leadership and that he would continue to exercise authority from Wadata Plaza. “We have taken over our office and will continue to give leadership and direction to this party from our national headquarters,” he said.
As of press time, the Wike faction maintained its rejection of the Ibadan Convention and vowed to “fight back” and “retake the party,” signaling that the confrontation may mark only the beginning of a prolonged internal battle for the soul of the PDP
Turaki takes over PDP Secretariat amid violent clashes between Wike , Makinde supporters
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