Show of force at PDP headquarters

• Chaos, gunshots, free-for-all as Wike, Bala factions clash 

• Wike group expels Makinde, Bala, Lawal, George, others 

• Turaki shifts inaugural NWC meeting to today, salutes Nigerians, party loyalists for solidarity, resisting anti-democratic forces 

• Bauchi gov: We’re determined to protect democracy 

• Attack on PDP headquarters assault on democracy – ADC

From Ndubuisi Orji, Abuja

There was pandemonium yesterday at the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) National Secretariat, Wadata Plaza, Abuja, as rival camps in the tussle for the control of the opposition party clashed.

Crisis erupted as the Taminu Turaki-led National Working Committee (NWC) and that of the factional acting National Chairman, Abdulrahman Mohammed, loyal to the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, engaged in a free-for-all. The Wike camp has refused to recognise the outcome of the Ibadan convention, describing it as illegitimate. The presence of both factions at Wadata Plaza led to a fracas.

Tensions escalated when Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State, the chairman of the PDP Governors’ Forum and Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State and other party stakeholders arrived at the party secretariat. Their presence was seen as a symbolic assertion of control by the newly elected leadership of Turaki.

Governors Mohammed and Makinde had arrived at the party secretariat at about 10:45 am but the main gates were padlocked, prompting them to access the premises of the party, leaving their motorcades behind.

The situation, however, degenerated when Wike arrived at the party secretariat at about 11:15 am and was blocked by the governors’ motorcade already in front of the party secretariat trying to gain access to the premises. The minister was able to access the premises when security operatives started firing teargas to disperse party members and others, including journalists and political thugs already within the secretariat.

Ishiaku Sharu, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Operations), FCT command, later ordered Governor Mohammed and his group to leave the premises of the party secretariat. Mohammed stood his ground and insisted that they would only leave when Wike and every other person had exited.

•Crisis foretold

Residents woke up yesterday morning to the presence of heavy deployment of policemen and men of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) at the PDP secretariat and environs.

The security personnel deployed 19 security vehicles and three Armoured Personnel Carriers (APC). Four of the security vans were stationed at the access road to the Wadata Plaza from the Berger axis, while two security vans were stationed around the Ibro Hotel. Similarly, two of the APCs were stationed at the junction adjacent the road leading to the PDP National Secretariat and another stationed at the secretariat.

However, fracas ensued shortly after the arrival of Governor Mohammed and his Oyo State counterpart. The duo, on their arrival, accompanied by members of the Turaki-led NWC and other party supporters, moved straight into the NEC hall and took over.

Thereafter, a scuffle ensued between the supporters of both camps. The entire secretariat degenerated into chaos and commotion as police started firing teargas.

Speaking before the crisis erupted, the suspended National Secretary, Sen Samuel Anyanwu, described the security deployment to the party secretariat as a routine arrangement whenever the party was holding its NEC or BoT meeting.

“You can see there’s no problem. So, if we start our meeting and they come here to disrupt our meeting, they become intruders because we’re already here.

“I don’t see anybody sensible enough to come and disrupt a meeting that’s ongoing. If anybody wants to meet, they can meet anywhere. It’s allowed, but we’re here,” he said.

Anyanwu insisted that he remained the party’s national secretary until December 8, adding that any of the party’s correspondence to INEC must be signed by him.

While maintaining that there was no national convention in Ibadan, he said that two-thirds of the states’ delegates were not at the purported convention.

“On what premise are you expelling us? What platform are you using to expel us? The convention that was never held?

“Every communication to INEC for any congress/convention, I must sign it. I never communicated any letter to INEC for any convention. So, there was no convention. As a matter of fact, there was no convention anywhere.

“It’s very clear that any convention must be monitored, supervised by INEC. These things were not done,” he said.

The faction also announced the expulsion of Governors Makinde, Mohammed of Bauchi State and Dauda Lawal of Zamfara, among others, and also dissolved the party executives in Oyo, Bauchi, Ekiti, Zamfara, Edo and Lagos.

The decisions were taken at the 103 National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting of the party held in the party’s national secretariat in Abuja, yesterday.

Others expelled include former Board of Trustees Chairman, Senator Adolphus Wabara, Senator Kabiru Tanimu Turaki, Deputy National Chairman (South), Taofeek Arapaja and others, for anti party activities.

Abdulrahman, who presented the memo for the expulsion, said it was as a result of the affected party members’ disregard for court judgements, an action he said put the party in disrepute.

The NEC meeting’s communique was read by the National Secretary, Senator Anyanwu.

It read: “The National Executive Committee (NEC) met on November 18, to address recent developments affecting the unity, stability and constitutional order of our party. At a time when Nigerians looked up to the PDP for leadership, NEC convened to uphold truth, justice, discipline and respect for the rule of law.

“NEC expressed deep concern over the actions of some members, who violated subsisting court orders by organising and attending a purported and unauthorised convention. This act triggered confusion, factionalisation and the defection of governors and legislators nationwide.

“NEC reaffirmed that the PDP draws its legitimacy from strict adherence to its Constitution and that of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, not from impunity.

“NEC received the report of the acting National Chairman, Abdulrahman Mohammed, detailing breaches of Articles 58(1) and 59(1), including anti-party activities, disobedience to court orders and conduct bringing the party into disrepute.

“NEC approved the commencement of disciplinary procedures against the following; Adolphus Wabara, Olabode George, Ben N. Obi, Kabiru Tanimu Turaki (SAN), Bala Mohammed, Oluseyi Makinde, Dauda Lawal, Taofiq Arapaja, Setonji Koshoedo, Okechukwu Obiechina Daniel, Woyengikuro Daniel, Mohammed Kadade Suleiman, Emmanuel Ogidi, Sumaila Adamu Burga, Umar Sani, Udom Emmanuel and Emmanuel Enorden.

“NEC further resolved that Chief Ali Odefa must refund all salaries and allowances collected after his expulsion on December 12, 2024. These actions are taken to preserve order and discipline within the party. NEC also ratified Chidiebere Egwu Goodluck as acting National Vice Chairman (South East).

“NEC ratified the dissolution of State Excos in Bauchi, Oyo, Zamfara, Yobe, Lagos and Ekiti. The NWC is directed to constitute caretaker committees and begin fresh congresses immediately while the Edo State Exco led by Nosa Ogieva has been approved.

“NEC directed deputies in all National Working Committee positions now vacant owing to expulsion to assume the substantive positions in acting capacity and function as NWC members

“NEC also formally ratified the appointment of Alhaji Mohammed Abdulrahman as the acting National Chairman of the party.

“NEC directed the legal team and NWC to commence immediate constitutional action to recover seats of all elected officials, who defected from the PDP, in line with Sections 68(1)(g) and 109(1)(g) of the 1999 Constitution.

“NEC approved a party-wide reconciliation initiative to heal divisions and rebuild trust, while ensuring that reconciliation does not undermine discipline. A nationwide membership audit and revalidation will begin ahead of the 2027 elections.

“NEC acknowledged the anxieties among members but assures the party faithful that these decisions are aimed at stabilising and strengthening the PDP.

“The NEC affirms that the era of indiscipline is over. The PDP will not bow to lawlessness or personal ambition.

“With unity, discipline and renewed purpose, the PDP will rebuild stronger and restore public confidence ahead of the next electoral cycle.”

•We’re determined to protect democracy

Meanwhile, Governor Mohammed has expressed the determination of the party’s leadership to protect Nigeria’s democracy, even at the expense of their lives.

He stated this while speaking with newsmen during the clash between two PDP factions at the national secretariat in Abuja.

“We are not just here to cause trouble; this is our own place and some imposters, who have been expelled by the convention, which is the highest decision-making organ of the party, came to cause commotion.

“You can see the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) coming in person, being backed by the police.

“We are surprised because at the point when the police allowed us in, our chairman praised them for impartiality. But, here we are, to sit and see what will happen.

“We have been molested in spite of our immunity and whatever that we have, as leaders in our own right, with our chairman.

“We don’t want to cause trouble to anybody. Yes, we are in the opposition. We should be allowed to survive,” he said.

GovernorMohommed alleged that PDP was being destroyed by people from within the party, maintaining that relevant laws had been invoked to get them out.

“We are here to inaugurate our independence and we don’t know what is happening. We are not going anywhere, even if they will kill us, we are not going anywhere.

“We oblige our chairman’s invitation, maybe you will hear more from him. But, certainly we are pushing it. But, this thing is getting out of hand. Enough is enough,” Mohammed said.

Also speaking, the new PDP National Chairman, Taminu Turaki, said they were determined to protect their mandate and the country’s democracy.

“We are willing to lay down our lives to protect our office, to protect our democracy, to protect our mandate.”

Turaki said his team had visited the FCT Commissioner of Police to inform him of their new NWC meeting when they heard that the other faction was also planning a meeting at the same venue.

He quoted the commissioner of police as promising to protect them.

Turaki expressed surprise that the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, who, according to him, had been expelled from the party, was granted access to the premises of the party’s secretariat.

Makinde, in a chat with journalists, said: “The highest organ of the party, which is the National Convention, supervised the election of the new managers of the party for the next four years.

“They are here and supposed to have their inauguration meeting and they invited us as stakeholders to come and witness their inaugural NWC meeting, so we came and we are here.

“You are all witnesses to what we have been battling with. But, let me say it loud and clear, when the day is about to break, that is the darkest moment, so this is the darkest moment for PDP as a party because the day is about to break forth for a new PDP and for our democracy to be on a solid footing in Nigeria.”

•Turaki shifts inaugural NWC meeting

The Turaki-led faction has postponed its inaugural National Working Committee meeting after violent clashes to today.

The new chairman said the decision followed “deliberate attempts by individuals undermining democracy and progress” to disrupt the gathering.

He commended the Federal Capital Territory Police Command for providing what he described as “professional security support,” enabling his team to enter the premises despite earlier resistance.

“We were able to get into the secretariat because of the security provided.

“I thank the FCT Commissioner of Police for keeping to his word. The disruption we witnessed today was caused by those who continue to undermine the peace, stability and unity of our party.”

He added that he had pre-alerted the police to the circulation of flyers announcing parallel NEC and Board of Trustees meetings by individuals that were “no longer recognised by the party.”

He insisted the PDP remained committed to restoring stability amid escalating internal wrangling.

“The meeting will be held tomorrow. We are determined to rebuild cohesion and strengthen the party so it can reclaim its place as a national institution.”

•Genesis of crisis

The PDP crisis assumed a new twist last weekend, after the national convention organised by the NWC led by the immediate past National chairman, Umar Damagum, announced the expulsion of Wike, the National Secretary, Samuel Anyanwu and former Ekiti State Governor, Ayo Fayose, among others.

The convention also dissolved the State Working Committee (SWC).

The PDP has been embroiled in crisis in the aftermath of the 2023 polls with the PDP Governors led by Bala Mohammed and Seyi Makinde and Wike engaged in supremacy tussle over the control of the party’s machinery ahead of the 2027 polls.

The crisis escalated after a Federal High Court in Abuja, in a judgment in a suit filed by three aggrieved PDP members – Austin Nwachukwu, Nnanna Amah and George Turnah, who are also allies of the FCT Minister, directed the party to halt plans for its November 15 and 16 National Convention,  over  non-compliance  with the extant rules. 

In reaction, the Damagum-led NWC, suspended Anyanwu; the national organising secretary, Umar Bature and the national legal adviser, Kamaldeen Ajibade, as well as the deputy national legal adviser, Okechukwu Osuoha and the plaintiffs for one month over alleged anti-party activities.

In retaliation, Anyanwu, who is also Wike’s man, after a meeting with other group of NWC members, announced the suspension of Damagum and the PDP deputy national chairman, South, Taofeek Arapaja and four others for alleged anti-party activities, stating that the party’s national vice chairman, North Central, Abdulraham Mohammed, had been appointed to serve as acting chairman.

The Mohammed-led faction later announced the dissolution of the Board of Trustees (BoT) and appointment of Senator Mao Ohuabunwa as new BoT chairman, as well as the cancellation of the convention.

Also, another Federal High Court, in Abuja, in its ruling in a suit brought before it by former Jigawa State Governor, Sule Lamido, directed the party not to proceed with the national convention over “unlawful exclusion” of the former governor from the national chairmanship contest.

On the other hand, an Oyo State High Court, two weeks ago, granted an ex parte order, authorising the PDP to proceed with the convention. The chairman of the PDP Board of Trustees (BoT), Senator Adolphus Wabara, told journalists in Abuja, last week that the party held the national convention, based on an earlier judgment of the Supreme Court, which empowered political parties to manage its internal affairs.

Eventually, the convention held and dissolved the NWC and elected Turaki, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) as National chairman and suspended the FCT minister and some of his loyalists.

However, Anyanwu, who dismissed the Ibadan convention as a “jamboree” on Monday, announced a meeting of the BoT and NEC at the Wadata Plaza for yesterday.

In a swift reaction, Turaki, after a meeting with the FCT Commissioner of Police, on Monday, announced that he would be resuming at the Wadata Plaza, yesterday, where he would hold a meeting of his NWC and other critical stakeholders, including governors and BoT members.

The PDP leader, who sought the protection of the police, stated that while they are law-abiding citizens, they reserve the right to defend themselves and their properties in line with the Nigerian constitution.