A fierce struggle for control of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) reached a boiling point on Tuesday as two rival factions, one led by newly elected National Chairman, Tanimu Turaki, SAN, and the other loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Mr. Nyesom Wike, converged on the party’s national secretariat in Abuja for parallel meetings with different time but the same venue.
Heavy security presence, rival supporters drumming and singing, and competing notices of meetings signalled the escalating confrontation at Wadata Plaza, Zone 5, as both camps insisted they remained the legitimate leadership of the PDP.
Security Takes Over Secretariat
From early morning, police officers, operatives of the Department of State Services, and other security personnel were stationed around the secretariat to forestall clashes.
Supporters of both factions massed around the premises, chanting slogans in anticipation of the day’s political showdown.
By 8:50 a.m., Senator Samuel Anyanwu, who was expelled at the Ibadan convention but insisted he would remain National Secretary until December 8, arrived at the secretariat and headed straight to his office.
The PDP had, at its National Convention on Saturday, expelled 11 high-profile members, including Nyesom Wike, minister of the Federal Capital Territory; Samuel Anyanwu, the party’s suspended national secretary; and Ayodele Fayose, former governor of Ekiti State.
Some members invited by his faction for an emergency NEC meeting had already started arriving.
As of 9:27 a.m., supporters of the Turaki-led leadership were yet to appear, though reports indicated they were on their way.
Anyanwu told reporters that he formally invited security agencies as part of standard protocol ahead of a NEC/BoT meeting.
“I wrote to the security agencies and I NEC on the 14th November informing them of the NEC/BoT meeting scheduled for today. I am the National Secretary of the party and my tenure runs till December 8,” he said, dismissing Turaki’s faction as “intruders.”
Turaki Moves to Reclaim Secretariat
On Monday, Turaki led members of the newly elected National Working Committee (NWC) to the FCT Police Commissioner to notify the command of plans to “reclaim” the secretariat for their inaugural meeting.
He described the visit as part of preparations for the first official meeting since the contentious national convention in Ibadan.
“We are going to have the inaugural National Working Committee meeting of our party tomorrow,” Turaki said. “We have invited governors, National Assembly members, the Board of Trustees, state chairmen, and other stakeholders.”
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Turaki insisted that those circulating notices of NEC and BoT meetings on social media “are no longer members of this party,” arguing that the national convention had expelled Wike, Anyanwu and others.
“The National Convention overrides every other decision. Those people are no longer members of our party,” he said.
Turaki said the police were notified to prevent disruptions, stressing that “peace must be sustained” as the party resumes operations at Wadata Plaza.
He vowed that the new NWC would meet at the secretariat at 10 a.m., stating:
“We are going there, we’ll have the offices opened, and then begin to perform the functions for which we’ve been elected. Anybody sitting there without our consent is an interloper.”
He added that the leadership was prepared to defend itself if threatened.
“We will defend our party, defend this democracy. We are prepared to lay down our lives,” he said.
Wike’s Camp Holds Parallel Meetings
Despite Turaki’s declaration, the faction loyal to the FCT Minister proceeded with plans for an emergency Board of Trustees meeting at 11 a.m. and a NEC session at 2 p.m. at the same venue.
In a notice inviting members to the 103rd emergency NEC session, Anyanwu maintained that “attendance is very important as crucial matters will be discussed and addressed.”
Turaki Promises to Reconcile Aggrieved Members
In his first interview after emerging as chairman, Turaki told BBC Hausa Service that healing the party would be a top priority.
According to him, reconciliation would extend to members who felt sidelined, offended without cause, or who withdrew in frustration.
“Anyone who deserves an apology will receive it. If we must kneel to plead and restore our democracy, we will do so,” he said.
However, he ruled out reconciliation with those he described as persistent saboteurs.
“How do you reconcile with someone who carries weapons, attacks the party daily, and insults its leaders?” he asked.
The simultaneous meetings, expulsion disputes, and competing claims of legitimacy highlight one of the most turbulent periods in the PDP’s 26-year history.
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.
