PDP crisis: Stand-off as Bala, Makinde, Wike storm Wadata Plaza

• Police disperse supporters with tear gas

From Ndubuisi Orji, Abuja

Tension is mounting at the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) National Secretariat, Wadata Plaza, as Governors Bala Mohammed and Seyi Makinde, of Bauchi and Oyo states, respectively, and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory ( FCT), Nyesom Wike, stormed the location in support of party leaders loyal to them.

Members of the Abdulraham Mohammed-led National Working Committee ( NWC), which is backed by Wike, and their supporters had taken over the secretariat early in the day, shutting supporters of the new PDP chairman, Tanimu Turaki.

However, shortly before midway, Bala and Makinde, as well as Turaki, with members of his NWC, arrived at the Wadata Plaza.

They were initially stopped at the gate by security operatives, but later gained access to the National Executive Committee ( NEC) Hall, at the secretariat, where they addressed a press conference, after chasing out supporters of the Mohammed faction, who were in the hall.

However, the trio were about to leave the secretariat when Wike arrived at the venue. Immediately, they sighted the Minister; they refused to leave. On the other hand, Wike is also in his car, has refused to leave the venue.

Meanwhile, amid rising tension, the police fired teargas to disperse supporters of the two camps, which had gathered at the secretariat, causing pandemonium in the area.

Details later…