ABUJA — The long-running battle for the soul of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) took a dramatic turn today as the Nigeria Police Force officially unsealed the party’s National Secretariat, Wadata Plaza.
The move saw the faction loyal to FCT Minister Nyesom Wike assume full control of the premises, a development that has sent shockwaves through the party’s rank and file and triggered immediate threats of legal retaliation from rival leaders.
Wike Camp Moves In
Following the removal of security barricades that had blocked access to the Wuse Zone 5 headquarters for months, the National Working Committee (NWC) led by Abdulrahman Mohammed Takushara moved in to occupy the offices. Pro-Wike leaders praised the police for finally enforcing recent court rulings that recognized their convention as the only legitimate authority within the party.
Supporters of the NWC were seen celebrating at the secretariat, claiming that the era of “impostors” and “illegal caretaker committees” had come to an end. Spokesmen for the group warned that any further attempt to disrupt activities at the headquarters would be treated as a criminal breach of the peace.
Turaki Faction Cries Foul
The rival camp, led by Tanimu Turaki (SAN), has reacted with fury, describing the police intervention as a blatant act of contempt. They argue that because a leadership challenge is still active at the Supreme Court, the status quo should have been maintained.
The Turaki faction, which enjoys the backing of several PDP governors, accused the police of being used as a political tool to hand the party over to “APC-friendly elements.” They maintained that the unsealing of the building does not change the legal reality of who owns the party’s mandate and have vowed to challenge the move in the highest court in the land.
High Stakes for 2027
The takeover of Wadata Plaza is seen as a massive strategic victory for the Wike-aligned group, as it gives them control over the party’s administrative machinery, official seals, and communication channels ahead of the next election cycle.
As of this afternoon, police units remain stationed around the perimeter of the secretariat to prevent any potential clashes between supporters of the two factions. The national leadership of the PDP now effectively sits in the hands of a committee that has been at open war with the party’s traditional power base for nearly two years.
