The national secretariat of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Abuja was sealed off by police on Wednesday after violent clashes erupted between rival factions vying for control.
Barbed-wire barricades blocked the entrance at Wadata Plaza as officers said the directive to cordon the premises came from “above”.
The confrontation intensified when supporters of Turaki, Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State and Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State arrived for a party meeting, only to be met by troops aligned with Samuel Anyanwu and Minister of the FCT, Nyesom Wike. Tear-gas was deployed after the Anyanwu camp allegedly tried to prevent their entry.
Both sides claimed legitimacy of the convention and accused the other of undermining democracy. Turaki called for international attention, saying: “Democracy is under threat.” T
he crisis in Nigeria’s major opposition party adds to concerns about leadership instability and eroding party structures ahead of the 2027 general elections. For now, the secretariat remains sealed and the PDP’s internal war continues.
