A tense atmosphere gripped the Peoples Democratic Party’s National Secretariat in Abuja on Tuesday as factional National Chairman, Kabiru Turaki, forced his way into the building amid clashes between rival camps.
The confrontation, which lasted several hours, drew heavy security presence after both factions arrived for separate meetings at Wadata Plaza. Party leaders and supporters were caught in a chaotic scene that saw the use of tear gas, pushing and shouting as each side struggled for control.
Turaki, who entered the premises alongside Governors Seyi Makinde and Bala Mohammed, said his loyalists had resisted attempts to prevent him from accessing the office.
“We were confronted by renegade members who were expelled at our national convention in Ibadan,” he said. “They came here with armed thugs to disrupt our meetings, but we contained them. For more than seven hours Nigerians saw what happened.”
He noted that over 50 canisters of tear gas were fired as security agents tried to break the standoff.
“If we had not exercised restraint there would have been bloodshed. We were tear-gassed but we stayed calm. We remained relentless,” he added.
He accused a serving minister of the Federal Government of leading the disruption. “The president should call his minister to order. How can a minister lead thugs to stop a legally arranged meeting,” he asked.
Tuesday’s incident followed the fallout from Saturday’s Ibadan convention where several high-profile members, including Nyesom Wike, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, Ayo Fayose and others were expelled for alleged anti-party activities. A faction loyal to Wike responded by announcing the expulsion of Bode George, former BoT Chairman Adolphus Wabara and Turaki himself.
According to Turaki, his group has now secured the secretariat. “We have driven them out and I have assumed leadership as the elected chairman,” he said.
He warned that his camp was prepared to mobilise members nationwide if further attacks occur. “If this continues, I will not hesitate to call all PDP members in Nigeria to assemble here,” he said.
Turaki also appealed to the international community. “You’ve seen the attempts being made to destroy democracy. We will defend it. We are prepared to lay down our lives for this democracy,” he declared.
Despite the tension, he praised his supporters for maintaining calm. “This shows that PDP members are peace-loving and law-abiding. But we will defend our integrity if threatened,” he said.
