Tension in PDP: Anyanwu Moves to Take Over Wadata Plaza Amid Leadership Crisis

The faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) led by the National Secretary, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, has taken over the Wadata Plaza National Secretariat of the party in Abuja.

The faction has the National Vice-Chairman (North-Central), Mohammed Abdulrahman, as the acting chairman.

Anyanwu had been suspended along with three other national officers on Saturday by the National Working Committee (NWC) led by the National Chairman, Ambassador Umar Damagum, for alleged anti-party activities.

In a swift response, the Anyanwu faction of the NWC also announced the suspension of Damagum and some members of the NWC.

On Monday, Anyanwu arrived at the secretariat a few minutes before Abdulrahman, who also came in with supporters hailing him.

A chaotic scene soon ensued as supporters of the faction trooped into the premises, accompanying Anyanwu and Abdulrahman to assume control of the office of the national chairman.

In the process, some members of staff of the PDP were attacked by the supporters, who believed they were attempting to prevent the Anyanwu group from entering the office.

However, the group eventually entered the office and held a meeting.

Speaking with reporters after the meeting, Abdulrahman declared that he had formally assumed office as the national chairman of the PDP.

He promised that, as acting chairman, he would work to restore confidence in the party.

“Today, I resumed my office as acting national chairman.

“I want to assure Nigerians and members that we have a new opportunity to put our heads together to bring the party to where it belongs,” he said.

Abdulrahman also stated that Nigerians looked up to the PDP to rebuild Nigeria but said it would be unable to do so if members remained divided.

Also speaking, Anyanwu told reporters he had taken Abdulrahman round the secretariat and shown him the offices, adding that by returning the chairmanship position to the North-Central, the PDP was already in the process of making peace.

The group left the building immediately after the news briefing.

Armed policemen arrived in their numbers to secure the secretariat, apparently to prevent a possible breakdown of law and order.

As of the time of filing this report, no word had been heard from the Damagum faction.