Confusion erupted in Abuja on Saturday after suspected thugs stormed a gathering of members of a factional Peoples Democratic Party leadership shortly after the group ratified former President Goodluck Jonathan as its presidential candidate for the 2027 general election.
The incident occurred at the A-Class Event Centre, where leaders of the Kabiru Turaki-led Interim National Working Committee had converged following an earlier convention held at the party’s Area 10 secretariat.
The faction had reportedly relocated its convention to the Area 10 office after security operatives prevented access to the event centre originally designated for the exercise.
During the convention, delegates endorsed Jonathan as the party’s standard-bearer for the next presidential election before returning to the event centre for further engagement with security personnel stationed there.
However, the atmosphere turned chaotic shortly after Turaki addressed party supporters at the venue.
Eyewitnesses said a group of hoodlums arrived in two coaster buses and descended on party officials and supporters with sticks and other objects, forcing those present to flee for safety.
The attack reportedly disrupted activities at the venue, with journalists, delegates and party leaders scrambling to escape the scene.
A mobile phone belonging to one of the journalists covering the event was also said to have been taken during the commotion.
Normalcy was eventually restored after police officers and other security personnel intervened to disperse the attackers and secure the area.
Before the disruption, Turaki, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, had defended the gathering, insisting that members of the party had a constitutional right to assemble and conduct their political activities.
He maintained that the group would not resort to violence despite what he described as attempts to undermine democratic principles, stressing that political battles should be settled through the ballot box.
Turaki urged party members to remain calm and avoid acts capable of escalating tensions, expressing confidence that the faction would achieve its political objectives through lawful means.
He also commended delegates and party stakeholders for their turnout at the special convention despite the challenges encountered.
The incident further highlights the growing tensions within the opposition party as political realignments ahead of the 2027 elections continue to gather momentum.