Makinde, Turaki, Mohammed Tear Gassed as Wike Arrives PDP Secretariat

Tensions escalated sharply at the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) national headquarters in Wadata Plaza, Abuja, on Tuesday, as rival factions attempted to convene parallel meetings, sparking confusion and a security standoff.

The dispute centres on two competing groups: the National Working Committee (NWC) elected in Ibadan, Oyo State, and the faction aligned with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike. 

Both groups had scheduled important gatherings for today, including Board of Trustees (BoT) and National Executive Committee (NEC) meetings.

Samuel Anyanwu, national secretary of the pro-Wike faction, arrived early with a delegation of supporters. 

Speaking to journalists before the confrontation, he insisted the heightened security presence was a precautionary measure. 

“Our aim is to ensure order and prevent any incident that could compromise the integrity of today’s meetings,” Anyanwu said. 

He also confirmed that his faction was fully prepared to hold both the BoT and NEC sessions.

However, the situation intensified when members of the Turaki-led faction arrived at the headquarters. 

While two governors from the Turaki camp managed to enter, the rest were blocked by security operatives. 

Eyewitnesses reported that as more members attempted to gain access, security personnel resorted to firing gunshots into the air and deploying teargas to disperse the crowd, sending many scrambling for safety.

Party insiders described the scene as chaotic, with confusion spreading across the premises. “It was like a battlefield,” one source said. “People were running in every direction, and the atmosphere was tense.”

The standoff highlights deepening divisions within the PDP, raising concerns about the party’s ability to maintain unity ahead of critical national political engagements. 

“The current discord underscores the urgent need for internal reconciliation,” a political commentator noted.

As the factions remain at an impasse, party members and security officials continue to monitor the situation, with no immediate resolution in sight. 

Meanwhile, observers fear that without mediation, such confrontations could escalate further, undermining the party’s credibility.