Commotion broke out on Tuesday at the National Secretariat of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Abuja, Watada Plaza, when police fired teargas to disperse supporters of two rival factions engaged in a heated confrontation.
Trouble started after groups loyal to former Rivers State governor Nyesom Wike and the newly constituted National Working Committee (NWC) led by Kabiru Turaki arrived at the Wadata Plaza headquarters for separate meetings scheduled for the same time.
The tension escalated shortly after Samuel Anyanwu, national secretary of the Wike-backed faction, arrived with members of his group for their planned Board of Trustees (BoT) and National Executive Committee (NEC) meetings.
Supporters from both sides engaged in verbal altercations, which soon degenerated into physical scuffles.
As the situation deteriorated, police officers on the ground directed all party members, officials and visitors to leave the premises. The warning did little to calm the crowd, prompting officers to release several teargas canisters.
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The sudden discharge sent politicians, party officials, staff and journalists fleeing in different directions. Many were seen coughing, shielding their faces and running toward adjoining streets to escape the thick fumes.
Outside the building, supporters wielding sticks and other objects continued to exchange threats as confrontations intensified.
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Reinforcements from the Nigeria Police Force were later deployed to restore order around the secretariat. Despite their efforts, tension remained high as both factions accused each other of instigating the chaos that disrupted activities at the party headquarters.
Rafiyat Sadiq is a political, justice, and human rights reporter with Pinnacle Daily, known for fearless reporting and impactful storytelling. At Pinnacle Daily, she brings clarity and depth to issues shaping governance, democracy, and the protection of citizens’ rights.
