The leadership crisis rocking the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) took a dramatic turn on Monday as security operatives sealed off the party’s National Secretariat at Wadata Plaza and the Legacy House, its National Convention Organising Committee headquarters.
The action followed the controversial emergence of Abdulrahman Mohammed as Acting National Chairman.
Heavily armed police officers arrived at the Wadata Plaza in the early hours, ordering staff and journalists to vacate the premises before locking the gates and taking positions around the complex.
Shortly after, another detachment of officers moved to Legacy House in Maitama, where they barred entry to all visitors and staff, effectively shutting down operations at both major offices of the opposition party.
Journalists who attempted to gain access to the Maitama facility were turned back by security personnel, who said they were acting on “standing instructions from above.”
The security lockdown, which came hours after Mohammed’s announcement as Acting Chairman, heightened tension within the party and deepened the ongoing division in its National Working Committee (NWC).
READ ALSO: Court Rejects Lamido’s Request to Halt PDP National Convention
According to sources within the party, the police deployment was a precautionary step to prevent possible clashes between rival factions.
“There were intelligence reports suggesting both sides might attempt to take control of the buildings simultaneously,” a senior PDP official disclosed.
Mohammed’s assumption of office, reportedly backed by a bloc loyal to a former South-South governor, followed several days of intense lobbying and closed-door negotiations.
His supporters accused the Damagum-led leadership of mismanaging the party, while Mohammed pledged to restore order and reposition the PDP ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Opinions within the party remain sharply divided. While his supporters hailed his takeover as a chance to end months of paralysis, critics dismissed it as an illegal power grab aimed at destabilising the party further.
READ ALSO: PDP Crisis Deepens as NWC Suspends Anyanwu, Others
Tension rose later in the afternoon as PDP staff at the Wadata Plaza staged a walkout, protesting what they called “total confusion” over competing leadership claims. The workers vowed not to return to work until the crisis was resolved.
As of press time, both the National Secretariat and Legacy House remained under lock and key, with armed security operatives maintaining a strong presence.
Meanwhile, loyalists from both factions were said to be holding separate strategy meetings at undisclosed locations as efforts to resolve the crisis continued behind closed doors.
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.
