Tensions exploded at the national headquarters of Nigeria's main opposition party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), on Tuesday as supporters of rival factions engaged in physical confrontations that turned violent. The dramatic scene unfolded amid the party's deepening leadership crisis that has divided its ranks.
Factional Warfare Erupts
The confrontation began shortly after the faction led by acting national chairman Muhammed Abdulrahman announced sweeping disciplinary measures against several senior party figures. The Abdulrahman group, which aligns with Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike, targeted prominent members including Adolphus Wabara, Olabode George, Ben Obi, Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed, and Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde.
This move represented a significant escalation in the ongoing power struggle within the opposition party. The PDP has been fractured into two main camps since 2022, with one faction loyal to Wike and the other supporting embattled National Chairman Umar Damagun. The Wike faction had previously named Abdulrahman as its acting chairman after announcing the suspension of Damagun and his team.
Governors Confront Locked Gates
The situation intensified when Governors Bala Mohammed and Seyi Makinde arrived at the party secretariat for a scheduled meeting. They discovered the main gates locked and were forced to enter the compound on foot while their motorcades remained outside. A source close to the governors revealed they chose not to retreat, insisting on their right to access the premises.
Attempts to enter the National Executive Committee hall were disrupted when supporters of one faction released tear gas, triggering panic among party staff, journalists, and political aides already inside the building. Security operatives later deployed additional tear gas canisters to disperse the crowd. The governors eventually managed to reenter the premises with their vehicles after order was partially restored.
Wike's Dramatic Intervention
The standoff took another dramatic turn when Nyesom Wike arrived and positioned his SUV directly in front of the building, effectively blocking the governors' motorcade. Senior police officers intervened and asked Governor Mohammed to leave the premises, but he refused, insisting that Wike must also depart before he would consider stepping out.
Governor Mohammed later returned to the NWC hall after learning that a meeting had continued despite the ongoing confrontation. The clash occurred just days after a factional gathering in Ibadan announced the expulsion of Wike and several other party members. At the time of reporting, both governors and numerous party members remained inside the secretariat while Wike stayed in his vehicle outside.
The confrontation highlights the deepening divisions within Nigeria's main opposition party as different factions jostle for control ahead of the 2027 general elections. The party's internal crisis continues to worsen despite attempts at reconciliation, with Tuesday's violent scenes representing one of the most physical manifestations of the ongoing power struggle.
