A MAJOR crisis erupted at the national headquarters of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Abuja on Monday as rival factions engaged in a violent confrontation, forcing security operatives to fire gunshots into the air and release teargas to disperse supporters scrambling for control of the deeply divided opposition party.
News Point Nigeria reports that the chaos stemmed from an attempt by the two feuding factions, the Kabiru Tanimu Turaki-led NWC, elected at the recent Ibadan convention, and the pro-Wike Samuel Anyanwu-led faction to hold parallel meetings at Wadata Plaza.
Tension peaked shortly after the arrival of members of the Turaki faction, who were prevented from entering the secretariat by supporters loyal to Senator Anyanwu.
As more members of the faction pressed forward, security operatives fired multiple warning shots and deployed teargas to disperse the crowd.
Two governors, Seyi Makinde of Oyo State and Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State — forced their way into the premises, but other members of their delegation were dispersed by the police.
The incident triggered panic as supporters ran in various directions, choking on teargas fumes.
Governor Makinde and Governor Bala Mohammed later briefed journalists, confirming they were caught in the teargas assault despite being senior party leaders.
Meanwhile, FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, who arrived during the confrontation, refused to step out of his vehicle. He remained inside for over 30 minutes as the situation remained volatile, reflecting the deepening mistrust and hostilities within the party.
News Point Nigeria earlier reported the deployment of heavy security around the secretariat after both factions publicly announced plans to hold meetings at the same location.
The Anyanwu-led faction arrived first, with Senator Anyanwu settling into his office and insisting he remained the authentic national secretary until December.
When asked whether he was responsible for the barricades and large police presence, Anyanwu confirmed inviting security operatives to prevent “a breakdown of law and order.”
He added that the operatives were also stationed to prevent “intruders” from accessing the premises — a thinly veiled reference to the Turaki-led faction.
The recent crisis is rooted in the controversial national convention held on November 15 in Ibadan by the Makinde-backed faction, where former minister Kabiru Turaki (SAN) was elected national chairman.
At that convention, the faction expelled 11 prominent PDP figures, including:
Nyesom Wike, Minister of FCT
Ayodele Fayose, former Ekiti governor
Samuel Anyanwu, National Secretary
Dan Orbih, Edo PDP chieftain
Umar Bature, National Organising Secretary
Adeyemi Ajibade, SAN
Mohammed Abdulrahman
Senator Mao Ohuabunwa
Austine Nwachukwu
Abraham Amah
George Turner
The motion for their expulsion was moved by PDP elder Chief Bode George and seconded by the Bauchi State PDP chairman.
The faction accused those expelled of “activities inconsistent with the party’s interest.”
In a fiery response, Senator Samuel Anyanwu dismissed the Ibadan convention as illegitimate and improperly convened.
According to him: “Sixteen states had not even conducted their congresses. The entire South-East has not done their congress. What happened in Ibadan was a jamboree.”
He further argued that several earlier congresses had not been communicated to INEC, making the convention unconstitutional and non-inclusive.
“When I heard someone at the convention preaching about obeying party rules, I laughed,” he said.