Police Seal Off PDP Secretariat As Leadership Tussle Boils Over

 

The national secretariat of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Abuja was on Wednesday sealed off by police operatives, a day after rival factions of the opposition party clashed at the premises.

When Patriotic Insights News visited Wadata Plaza, a barbed-wire barricade had been mounted around the complex, preventing entry into the building. Only a few policemen were sighted, while none of the contending leaders made an appearance.

However, a chieftain in the Kabiru Turaki-led faction faulted the police action, insisting that “no one can stop us from accessing our office”.

Fresh Turbulence

Tension had erupted on Tuesday when two opposing groups stormed the secretariat, deepening the party’s leadership crisis. Supporters of Samuel Anyanwu, aligned with FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, insisted they would not vacate the premises.

Pandemonium broke out shortly after Turaki arrived with Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde, Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed and other newly elected PDP executives. Police fired several rounds of teargas as Anyanwu’s supporters attempted to block their entry.

Turaki later told reporters that their restraint prevented what could have escalated into bloodshed. “More than 50 canisters of tear gas were fired at us, but we remained relentless,” he said.

He declared afterward that he had taken over as national chairman.
“For seven hours, Nigerians witnessed the struggle between us and those renegade members expelled at our national convention in Ibadan,” he said.

“They came here with armed thugs to disrupt our meetings, but we were able to contain them. As you can see, I have entered my office and assumed leadership as the elected chairman.”