The faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has taken control of the party’s national secretariat, Wadata Plaza, Abuja, ahead of a series of parallel meetings scheduled by rival blocs.
The Taminu Turaki-led National Working Committee (NWC), elected at the controversial Ibadan convention, had planned its inaugural meeting with key party stakeholders for 10 a.m. at the secretariat. Meanwhile, the Abdulrahman Mohammed-led faction had summoned emergency National Executive Committee (NEC) and Board of Trustees (BoT) meetings for 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. at the same venue.
The secretariat, previously under lock and key, was already occupied early in the morning by Abdulrahman Mohammed, who is recognized as factional National Chairman by his bloc. Armed security operatives were deployed across the premises to maintain order as both factions laid claim to the secretariat.
Personnel from the Mobile Police Force, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, and the Department of State Services positioned themselves at the entrance gates and other strategic points around the secretariat. Patrol vehicles also lined adjoining roads to prevent potential clashes.
Suspended National Secretary, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, had already accessed the premises as accreditation commenced ahead of their faction’s 103rd NEC meeting, which was in progress. The Turaki faction had not yet arrived. Outside the building, anti-Turaki protesters danced and chanted while holding placards with inscriptions such as “No to Turaki” and “Turaki must go.”
Speaking before the BoT meeting, Anyanwu described the heavy security presence as routine, noting that the party routinely invites security agencies to protect members during major gatherings.
He said he had formally notified all security agencies on November 14, 2025, of plans to hold the BoT and NEC meetings, adding that he had also communicated with the electoral commission in line with procedure.
Anyanwu insisted he remains the substantive National Secretary until December 8 and maintained that the Ibadan convention — during which he and others were allegedly suspended — never legally took place.
He argued that no valid communication was sent to the electoral commission regarding the convention and that the event lacked monitoring and supervision, making any decisions from it invalid. He added that two-thirds of the states’ delegates were absent and alleged that individuals “picked by the roadside and given PDP uniforms” were used to fill state delegations.
By 9:45 a.m. on Tuesday, the Wike-backed faction had fully taken over the secretariat. Abdulrahman Mohammed led his bloc into the building with a large contingent of armed police officers. Security personnel took positions along surrounding streets and within the premises.
As of the time of this report, members of the Kabiru-led faction had not yet arrived at the secretariat. National Secretariat Ahead of Parallel Meetings
The faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has taken control of the party’s national secretariat, Wadata Plaza, Abuja, ahead of a series of parallel meetings scheduled by rival blocs.
The Taminu Turaki-led National Working Committee (NWC), elected at the controversial Ibadan convention, had planned its inaugural meeting with key party stakeholders for 10 a.m. at the secretariat. Meanwhile, the Abdulrahman Mohammed-led faction had summoned emergency National Executive Committee (NEC) and Board of Trustees (BoT) meetings for 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. at the same venue.
The secretariat, previously under lock and key, was already occupied early in the morning by Abdulrahman Mohammed, who is recognized as factional National Chairman by his bloc. Armed security operatives were deployed across the premises to maintain order as both factions laid claim to the secretariat.
Personnel from the Mobile Police Force, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, and the Department of State Services positioned themselves at the entrance gates and other strategic points around the secretariat. Patrol vehicles also lined adjoining roads to prevent potential clashes.
Suspended National Secretary, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, had already accessed the premises as accreditation commenced ahead of their faction’s 103rd NEC meeting, which was in progress. The Turaki faction had not yet arrived. Outside the building, anti-Turaki protesters danced and chanted while holding placards with inscriptions such as “No to Turaki” and “Turaki must go.”
Speaking before the BoT meeting, Anyanwu described the heavy security presence as routine, noting that the party routinely invites security agencies to protect members during major gatherings.
He said he had formally notified all security agencies on November 14, 2025, of plans to hold the BoT and NEC meetings, adding that he had also communicated with the electoral commission in line with procedure.
Anyanwu insisted he remains the substantive National Secretary until December 8 and maintained that the Ibadan convention — during which he and others were allegedly suspended — never legally took place.
He argued that no valid communication was sent to the electoral commission regarding the convention and that the event lacked monitoring and supervision, making any decisions from it invalid. He added that two-thirds of the states’ delegates were absent and alleged that individuals “picked by the roadside and given PDP uniforms” were used to fill state delegations.
By 9:45 a.m. on Tuesday, the Wike-backed faction had fully taken over the secretariat. Abdulrahman Mohammed led his bloc into the building with a large contingent of armed police officers. Security personnel took positions along surrounding streets and within the premises.
As of the time of this report, members of the Kabiru-led faction had not yet arrived at the secretariat.
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