PDP Headquarters in Turmoil as Wike Faction Attempts Takeover of Party Secretariat
Tension erupted on Monday at Wadata Plaza, the national headquarters of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), as the faction loyal to Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, made a bold move to take control of the party’s secretariat.
Naija News reports that the crisis took a new turn after the Wike faction appointed Muhammed Abdulrahman as Acting National Chairman, following the suspension of Umar Damagum and other key officials by the factional group.
This move came in retaliation to the National Working Committee (NWC) under Damagum, which had earlier suspended National Secretary, Samuel Anyanwu, and other Wike loyalists amid the deepening leadership tussle.
Addressing journalists at the PDP’s Federal Capital Territory (FCT) office before heading to Wadata Plaza, Abdulrahman said his emergence was “a divine call” to rescue and reunite the embattled opposition party.
He said, “We are all aware of the current pitiable state of our glorious party because of the actions and inactions of our leaders and members.
“From being the ruling party for 16 uninterrupted years to being an opposition party for over 10 years now at the national level, from being a formidable opposition to a now humbled opposition, owing to the unexplainable, unconscionable defections of governors, legislators, and council chairmen, among others.”
Abdulrahman vowed to steer the PDP toward unity and internal reform, pledging to restore order and discipline to the troubled political organisation.
“I have accepted to become Acting National Chairman at this difficult time through the mercy of God and instrumentality of very critical stakeholders of this party,” he said.
He explained that his immediate task would be to heal the wounds of division, end factionalisation, and reposition the PDP to regain its relevance in Nigeria’s political landscape.
“My job is to heal the party of its wounds and end factionalisation, reposition the party, and make it law-abiding,” he added.
Shortly after the briefing, Abdulrahman moved into the PDP national secretariat, accompanied by supporters who chanted solidarity songs.
Police Block Possible Clash Between Factions
However, supporters of Acting National Chairman, Umar Damagum, also gathered at the premises, creating a tense standoff.
Security was immediately tightened as armed police officers arrived to prevent a violent confrontation between the two rival groups.
According to Daily Trust, at least 10 Hilux patrol vans belonging to the Nigeria Police Force are stationed strategically around the secretariat.