Violence erupted at the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) headquarters in Abuja, prompting police to release teargas to break up supporters amid the ongoing leadership crisis between opposing factions of the party.
Chaos unfolded at Wadata Plaza when Governor Seyi Makinde, Bala Mohammed, and the Turaki-led executive arrived, setting off confrontations between security personnel and loyalists of Senator Anyanwu’s faction who attempted to block access to the premises.
The FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, also arrived at the headquarters but has remained inside his vehicle for more than 30 minutes without stepping out.
Meanwhile, Governors Makinde and Mohammed are still within the compound. Both addressed journalists, describing their experience, including the teargas fired by police and the resistance they encountered from supporters aligned with Senator Anyanwu’s faction.
Earlier, Channels Television reported that extensive security was stationed at the PDP national headquarters as the two rival factions, each asserting itself as the true leadership of the party, planned to hold parallel meetings at the same venue.
The Anyanwu–led NWC was the first to reach the headquarters, with Anyanwu maintaining that he is still the party’s national secretary until his tenure ends in December, and resuming duties in his office despite the mounting tension.
Supporters of the two factions clashed on the premises, leading police to deploy teargas to separate them.
When questioned about summoning the security operatives who had cordoned off major sections around the area, Anyanwu confirmed that he had done so.
He explained that it is customary for the PDP to request security presence whenever significant meetings are scheduled to ensure orderliness.
He further stated that the security personnel were positioned to handle any “intruders,” a comment pointed toward the Turaki-led exco, which had also planned its own meeting at the Wadata Plaza headquarters.