Tensions intensified on Tuesday at the national secretariat of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as two rival factions of the party’s leadership clashed, resulting in chaos, tear gas deployment, and a standoff involving top party figures.
The crisis erupted between the Taminu Turaki-led National Working Committee (NWC) and a faction loyal to acting National Chairman Abdulrahman Mohammed, who is backed by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.
According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), trouble began when Bauchi State Governor and Chairman of the PDP Governors’ Forum, Bala Mohammed, and Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, arrived at the secretariat around 10:45 a.m. The governors met the main gate locked, forcing them to enter the premises on foot while their motorcades remained outside.
As they attempted to access the National Executive Committee (NEC) hall—where both factions planned to hold separate meetings—the duo and their entourage were teargassed by supporters of one of the factions. Security operatives later fired several rounds of tear gas in an attempt to disperse party members, journalists and political thugs already gathered within the compound.
The governors eventually gained access with their vehicles, but the situation worsened when Wike arrived at about 11:15 a.m. and used his convoy to block the governors’ motorcade positioned in front of the secretariat.
Deputy Commissioner of Police (Operations) in the FCT, Ishiaku Sharu, later intervened and ordered Governor Bala Mohammed and his team to leave the premises. Mohammed, however, insisted they would vacate only if Wike and others also left. He later returned to the NWC hall after being informed a meeting was in progress.
As of the time of filing this report, both governors and several officials remained inside the secretariat, while Wike stayed in his vehicle parked outside the building.
NAN also reported that the Bala Mohammed–led faction of the PDP had on Saturday in Ibadan expelled Wike and several others from the party.
