Violence erupted at the Peoples Democratic Party national headquarters in Abuja on Tuesday, November 18, 2025, as rival political factions clashed during an escalating leadership crisis that has gripped Nigeria's main opposition party.
Chaos Erupts at Wadata Plaza
Tensions reached boiling point outside the PDP's Wadata Plaza headquarters as supporters from competing factions confronted each other in what witnesses described as a chaotic scene. The confrontation quickly escalated into violence, prompting immediate police intervention.
Security forces deployed to the scene were forced to fire teargas canisters to disperse the growing crowds of rioters who had stormed the party headquarters. Officers worked aggressively to push back the crowds as the confrontation intensified throughout the afternoon.
Police Response and Security Measures
Nigerian police units responded swiftly to the developing crisis, establishing perimeter security around the building and implementing crowd control measures. The use of teargas became necessary as rioters refused to disperse peacefully and the situation threatened to spiral out of control.
Eyewitnesses reported seeing multiple canisters of teargas fired into the air and toward the most aggressive groups of protesters. The security operation focused on preventing the rioters from gaining access to the main building and protecting party officials inside the headquarters.
Deepening PDP Leadership Crisis
The violent confrontation represents the latest escalation in the PDP's ongoing internal power struggle. The leadership crisis has been brewing for several weeks, with competing factions vying for control of the party's direction and resources.
Political analysts suggest that Tuesday's violence indicates the deepening divisions within Nigeria's main opposition party, which could have significant implications for the country's political landscape. The timing is particularly sensitive given Nigeria's democratic processes and the need for stable opposition politics.
The incident at Wadata Plaza marks one of the most serious public manifestations of the PDP's internal conflicts in recent years. Party officials have yet to release an official statement addressing the violence, though sources indicate emergency meetings are underway to address the crisis.
