PDP Crisis Deepens as Wike, Makinde Camps Brace for Face-Off at National Secretariat

 

A fresh confrontation is looming at the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, national headquarters, Wadata Plaza, Abuja, as rival factions loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, and Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, prepare for a showdown over control of the party secretariat.

Tension heightened ahead of Monday’s planned reopening of the secretariat by a Wike-backed caretaker committee, which said it would take possession of the complex with police backing, citing a subsisting Federal High Court judgment delivered in Ibadan.

National Secretary of the Wike-aligned faction, Samuel Anyanwu, disclosed after a closed-door meeting at the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, headquarters on Thursday that the group would move to reclaim the secretariat and resume official activities.

The leadership tussle centres on a protracted power struggle between a faction led by Tanimu Turaki (SAN), supported by some PDP governors including Seyi Makinde of Oyo State and Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State, and a 13-member caretaker committee backed by Wike’s camp.

Turaki’s group is asserting legitimacy based on the PDP national convention held in Ibadan on November 15, 2025, but that convention was nullified by a Federal High Court ruling in Ibadan — a judgment now being relied upon by the caretaker committee.

An earlier attempt by both factions to access the Wadata Plaza secretariat reportedly led to clashes and police intervention.

Publicity Secretary of the caretaker committee, Jogudo Mohammed, said law enforcement authorities had been duly notified and were expected to enforce the court order reopening the premises.

“By Monday, we expect the Wadata Plaza office to be opened for party activities. The secretariat has been under lock and key, so fumigation and clean-up will commence immediately,” he said.

Mohammed added that the committee would proceed with preparations for the party’s planned March convention, including the sale of nomination forms starting Tuesday.

He stressed that filing an appeal does not invalidate a standing court judgment. “The ruling remains in force unless set aside by a superior court. Security agencies are expected to act in compliance,” he stated.

He warned that any restrained party official attempting to obstruct activities at the secretariat risks contempt of court and possible law enforcement action.

A senior member of the caretaker committee also maintained that security agencies, including the police and DSS, had been served with the court judgment and would remove barricades around the complex.

According to the source, “Those parading themselves as leaders under the Turaki group are not recognised by the judgment. Normal activities are expected to resume once the barricades are removed.”

However, the Turaki-led National Working Committee, NWC, urged caution, warning against what it described as self-help while appeals are pending before higher courts.

National Publicity Secretary of the faction, Ini Ememobong, said responsibility for any breakdown of law and order would rest on the police if they proceed with the reopening.

“Our suit is still pending, and the Court of Appeal matter is alive. Everyone should exercise restraint. Any violence or damage that occurs will be blamed on those enforcing a disputed order,” he said.

Also reacting, former PDP National Vice Chairman (South West), Eddy Olafeso, downplayed the secretariat dispute, saying the Court of Appeal would ultimately resolve the broader leadership crisis.

“The secretariat issue is only one part of the dispute. We are confident the appellate court will address all outstanding matters and deliver fair justice,” he said.

He expressed optimism that the party would survive the internal conflict, insisting that committed members would keep the PDP united despite deepening divisions.