The main opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has been thrown into fresh turmoil on Monday as a faction loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, took over the party’s National Secretariat, Wadata Plaza, in Abuja.
The Wike-led faction took over the National Secretariat after the factional leadership, led by the newly “installed” Acting National Chairman, Muhammed Abdulrahman, gained entry.
The situation led to a protest as it seems the party has been divided into two factions, the Wike-led faction and the faction led by Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State.
Pan-Atlantic Kompass reports that before the Wike-led faction took over the National Secretariat, a group of people chanted solidarity songs, demanded that the National Working Committee, led by Umar Damagum, vacate the headquarters immediately.
However, security operatives were immediately deployed to the area to prevent a breakdown of law and order as both factions struggle for control of the party’s edifice.
After the security agents were able to douse the tension, the faction of the party’s NWC led by Abdulrahman announced that it had taken control of the party’s National Chairman’s office.
Speaking to journalists at the office, Abdulrahman promised to unite and reposition the party in preparation for the next general election.
He also assured members of his commitment to work diligently for the party’s progress.
“We are ready to work in the interest of our dear party,” he said.
Pan-Atlantic Kompass reports that the current situation in the PDP comes after a series of suspensions and counter-suspensions were made last week.
Damagum, along with some members of the National Working Committee (NWC), announced the suspension of the party’s National Secretary, Anyanwu, National Organising Secretary Umar Bature, and other principal officers.
In a swift counter, Samuel Anyanwu led a separate faction of the NWC to suspend Damagun, National Publicity Secretary Debo Ologunagba, and four other principal officers of the party, deepening the ongoing leadership crisis within the PDP.
While Samuel Anyanwu-led acting national chairman Abdulrahman Mohammed resumed at the PDP national headquarters on Monday, Damagum and members of the National Working Committee loyal to him were conspicuously absent.
Also, the crisis comes after the Federal High Court ruling halted PDP’s planned national convention.
Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court, Abuja, restrained the opposition party from holding its National Convention, originally slated for November 15 and 16 in Ibadan, Oyo State.
Justice Omotosho, while delivering judgment in the suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/2120/2025, held that the PDP failed to conduct valid state congresses in several states and also breached the law by failing to issue the mandatory 21-day notice to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) before convening the convention.
Omotosho ruled: “The failure of the PDP to comply with the law has put the planned convention in jeopardy. The party must do the needful before going ahead with the election.
“INEC is not entitled to give effect to the outcome of any political party convention that does not comply with the provisions of the Constitution, the Electoral Act, and relevant party guidelines.”
The suit was filed by three aggrieved PDP members — Austin Nwachukwu (Imo PDP Chairman), Amah Nnanna (Abia PDP Chairman), and Turnah George (South-South Zonal Secretary).
The nine defendants in the suit include INEC, the PDP, National Secretary Samuel Anyanwu, National Organising Secretary Umar Bature, the NWC, the NEC, Acting National Chairman Ambassador Umar Damagum, Ali Odefa, and Emmanuel Ogidi.
