A major confrontation broke out on Tuesday at the national secretariat of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as two rival leadership factions clashed in the presence of high-profile party leaders.
The tension stemmed from a power struggle between the Taminu Turaki–led National Working Committee (NWC) and a parallel faction led byĺ Abdulrahman Mohammed, who claims to be the acting national chairman and is believed to enjoy the backing of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike.
The standoff intensified when Bauchi State Governor and chairman of the PDP Governors’ Forum, Bala Mohammed, arrived at the secretariat around 10:45 a.m. with Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde. To their surprise, the main gates were locked. Both governors abandoned their motorcades and found alternative access into the premises.
Wike arrived roughly 30 minutes later but was unable to drive into the compound as the governors’ convoy blocked the entrance. The atmosphere quickly escalated when security operatives fired teargas to disperse party supporters, journalists and political thugs milling around the building, clearing the way for Wike to enter.
Deputy Commissioner of Police (Operations) of the FCT Command, Ishiaku Sharu, later intervened, directing Gov. Bala Mohammed and his group to leave the premises. Mohammed refused, insisting he would only depart if Wike and everyone else present also exited.
The governor eventually moved back into the NWC hall after being informed that a meeting was underway.
As of the time of filing this report, the governors and their allies were still inside the secretariat, while Wike remained in his vehicle parked at the entrance, refusing to step out.
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The confrontation comes just days after the Bala Mohammed–led faction of the PDP announced the expulsion of Wike and several others during a meeting in Ibadan. [National Accord]
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