Over one week after violent clashes broke out at its national secretariat in Abuja, the headquarters of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has remained sealed by security operatives, leaving the main opposition party in disarray as two warring factions battle in court over the control of its structures.

The building popularly known as Wadata Plaza, located in Wuse Zone 5, was taken over by the police following a violent confrontation between loyalists of former FCT Minister Nyesom Wike and the newly inaugurated National Working Committee (NWC) led by Barrister Tanimu Turaki, SAN, during a scheduled meeting last Tuesday. The fracas, which saw journalists and several party members sustain injuries, came just days after the party’s contentious national convention in Ibadan.

At the centre of the crisis is a fierce debate over the legality of the convention held on November 15 and 16, which Turaki and other new NWC members emerged from. While an Abuja High Court had earlier directed the convention committee not to proceed, a separate ruling from the Oyo State High Court allowed it to go ahead. Party leaders, already divided along familiar lines, proceeded with the Ibadan convention regardless of the conflicting orders.

The convention not only produced Turaki as National Chairman, but also saw the expulsion of Wike and several of his allies, including National Secretary Senator Samuel Anyanwu. In retaliation, a faction led by Abdulrahman Muhammed announced their own counter-expulsions, declaring the Turaki-led executives illegitimate.

The deepening split culminated in both sides declaring meetings at the secretariat on the same day, triggering the chaos that led to the sealing of the premises. Since then, neither group has been granted access as security operatives maintain their blockade.

Daily Trust has learnt that both camps have intensified efforts behind closed doors to press their legitimacy claims. Sources within the Turaki-led faction said they have been engaging the police leadership to reaffirm their status as the recognised NWC. The faction held a meeting yesterday at the Bauchi Governor’s Lodge in Abuja with details of the resolution still sketchy as of the time of filing this report.

However, the rival group, backed by Wike, has taken the legal route, asking the courts to nullify the Ibadan convention.

Wike camp heads to court

A suit filed before the Federal High Court in Abuja (FHC/ABJ/CS/2501/2025) by acting National Chairman Mohammed Abdulrahman and National Secretary Samuel Anyanwu seeks to invalidate the convention. The plaintiffs, who are loyalists of Wike, argue it was conducted in violation of three separate Federal High Court judgements which, according to them, questioned the validity of the statutory 21-day notice and the procedural basis for convening the event.

These include the October 31 ruling in Austine Nwachukwu v INEC, interim and final rulings on November 11 and 14 in Sule Lamido v PDP, and the May 31, 2023 judgment in Wike v PDP. They claim these rulings should have halted preparations.

In an affidavit filed in support of the suit, Anyanwu alleged that “a rival camp attempted on November 18 to take control of Wadata Plaza.” He further stated that instead of enforcing court orders, security agents sealed the building and barred him and the acting chairman from entering.

They are asking the court to order INEC, the police and the Department of State Services (DSS) to enforce previous court judgements, stop recognition of any decisions from the convention, and direct security agencies to restore access to the secretariat.

Party leaders disagree over security role

Reacting to the continued closure, former National Secretary Ibrahim Tsauri accused security agencies of taking sides. He argued that the Turaki-led team is the legitimate party leadership and questioned why their rivals were allowed into the premises before the clashes.

“As far as we are concerned, whatever we were supposed to do, we have done it,” he told Daily Trust.

“Our new national chairman met with the commissioner of police less than 12 hours before the meeting. The commissioner promised there would be no issues, only for the premises to be sealed the next morning.”

He insisted that the authorities are favouring “a splinter group”, describing the Wike-backed faction as being supported by the government. “If systems are working, there is no reason why the secretariat should be closed,” he stated. “My belief is that no matter how things go, they should not open the secretariat for that group. If they do, it should be for the constitutionally recognised leadership.”

But Timothy Osadolor, factional acting National Youth Leader, rejected the Ibadan convention altogether. While expressing willingness to negotiate, he warned that some party leaders must “come down from their high horse.” He accused the governors of Oyo and Bauchi states, Seyi Makinde and Bala Mohammed, of influencing events at the secretariat and disregarding internal reconciliation efforts.

He said the Abdulrahman-led NWC would soon meet to decide their next steps, including actions towards reopening the secretariat.

Meanwhile, a coalition of legal advocacy groups — Lawyers for New Nigeria (LNN), Arewa Lawyers Union (ALU), and Good Governance Initiative Coalition (GGIC) — has called for immediate reopening of the PDP headquarters.

Led by Barrister Hassan Saraki, the coalition said the continued siege was unconstitutional, alleging it was engineered by the FCT Minister to weaken the opposition and create a one-party state. They gave the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, 24 hours to withdraw officers from the premises or face legal action.

“The continued blockade threatens constitutional governance and the survival of multiparty democracy,” Saraki said. Citing constitutional provisions protecting political parties, he described the situation as “unprecedented, dangerous and an assault on Nigeria’s democracy.”

The group also called on international bodies to monitor developments, warning that lack of opposition could lead to dictatorship. They demanded investigations into Wike’s alleged role, a parliamentary inquiry into security agency involvement, and a public presidential commitment to multiparty democracy.

Forum of state chairmen supports Turaki

Despite the divisions, the Forum of State Chairmen has thrown its support behind Turaki’s leadership. In a congratulatory message dated November 23 and signed by Edo State Chairman Tony Aziegbemi and 25 other state chairmen, they described Turaki’s emergence as “a resounding affirmation of his long-standing integrity and dedication.”

They thanked Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde for hosting what they described as a successful convention and commended Governors Bala Mohammed, Amadu Fintiri and Caleb Mutfwang for their roles in organising the event.

“We are confident that under his leadership, the PDP will continue to advance its mission of rescuing and rebuilding Nigeria,” the statement read.

Senator Moro denies plans to leave PDP

In a related development, the Senator representing Benue South Senatorial District and Senate Minority Leader, Comrade Abba Moro, on Tuesday dismissed reports suggesting he is planning to defect from the party.

Moro described the speculation as “ridiculous,” insisting that no discussions, formal or informal, have taken place with anyone regarding a possible defection.

In a statement signed by his Media Adviser, Emmanuel Eche’Ofun John, the Senate Minority Leader reaffirmed his commitment to the party, noting that as a founding member of the PDP, he remains aligned with its ideals and values.

He acknowledged that the party is grappling with internal challenges but maintained confidence that such issues would be resolved using the PDP’s established internal mechanisms.

The senator urged the public to disregard the rumours, attributing them to “mischief makers who are worried about the PDP’s capacity to overcome its current challenges and emerge stronger and more competitive.”

Moro further called on members of the party across the country to remain steadfast and work collectively towards restoring the PDP’s winning legacy. (Daily Trust)