Violence erupted at the Peoples Democratic Party National Secretariat in Wadata Plaza, Abuja, on Tuesday, prompting police to fire teargas to disperse supporters amid a leadership dispute between rival factions of the party.
According to Channels Television, the chaos began when Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State, Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State, and the faction led by the newly elected PDP National Chairman, Kabiru Turaki, arrived at the party headquarters.
Their arrival triggered confrontations with police and supporters aligned with Senator Samuel Anyanwu’s faction, who attempted to block their entry.
Security operatives loyal to the Federal Capital Territory Minister, Nyesom Wike, and the two governors engaged in a standoff over control of the PDP National Secretariat, with teargas deployed around the vicinity to restore order.
While Makinde entered the venue alongside the newly elected National Secretary, Taofeek Arapaja, Nyesom Wike remained with Samuel Anyanwu, the embattled national secretary of the party.
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, also arrived at Wadata Plaza but stayed seated in his car for more than 30 minutes without alighting.
Makinde and Mohammed later briefed journalists on the tense situation, recounting the teargas deployed by police and the resistance they encountered from supporters of the Samuel Anyanwu faction.
Later, the police ordered all party members and supporters to vacate the PDP secretariat to restore calm at the premises.
Details later…
