Fresh tension enveloped the Peoples Democratic Party on Sunday as rival camps loyal to Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, prepared for a possible showdown at the party’s national secretariat in Abuja.
The anxiety followed plans by a Wike-backed caretaker committee to reopen the PDP national headquarters at Wadata Plaza on Monday, with police support, a move that has heightened fears of renewed confrontation.
Speaking after a closed-door meeting at the headquarters of the Independent National Electoral Commission last Thursday, the National Secretary of the Wike-backed faction, Samuel Anyanwu, said the group would take over the secretariat as scheduled.
The dispute over control of the PDP headquarters is the latest twist in a protracted power struggle between the Tanimu Turaki (SAN)-led faction, supported by governors including Makinde and Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, and a 13-member caretaker committee aligned with Wike.
Turaki’s camp is laying claim to the legitimacy of a PDP national convention held in Ibadan on November 15, 2025, a gathering that was later nullified by a ruling of the Federal High Court sitting in Ibadan, Oyo State.
Previous attempts by both factions to access the Wadata Plaza secretariat had ended in clashes, forcing police intervention and the continued closure of the facility.
Addressing journalists, the caretaker committee’s Publicity Secretary, Jogudo Mohammed, said the police had been directed to reopen the secretariat in compliance with the Ibadan court judgment.
He explained that fumigation and general clean-up of the premises would precede the resumption of party activities.
“By Monday, February 9, we expect the secretariat to be opened for PDP activities. After fumigation, preparations will begin for the sale of nomination forms for elective positions ahead of the March convention,” Mohammed said.
He stressed that the court ruling remained valid and enforceable, noting that the filing of an appeal did not automatically suspend its execution.
“The judgment is still in force unless set aside by a superior court. There is no legal basis to prevent the police from enforcing it,” he added.
Mohammed also warned that any attempt by members of the Turaki-led National Working Committee, who had been restrained from acting as national officers, to disrupt activities at the secretariat could amount to contempt of court.
A senior member of the caretaker committee, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said security agencies, including the police, had been duly served with the court judgment and were expected to remove barricades at the secretariat.
“The police, like INEC and other agencies, are aware that the Turaki group is not recognised as the party’s leadership.
Normal activities will resume on Monday,” the source said.
However, the Turaki-led NWC urged caution, warning against what it described as self-help, as the matter was still before the courts.
The faction’s National Publicity Secretary, Ini Ememobong, said responsibility for any breakdown of law and order would rest with the police.
“Our case is still pending before the Federal High Court, and the appeal is also before the Court of Appeal.
Everyone should exercise restraint,” he said.
Also reacting, former PDP National Vice Chairman (South West), Eddy Olafeso, expressed confidence that the Court of Appeal would resolve the crisis.
According to him, the struggle over the secretariat was only a minor aspect of the wider dispute, adding that the party would survive the internal crisis despite ongoing legal battles.