Police Shutdown PDP National Secretariat Amid Factional Battle
In a
dramatic escalation of Nigeria’s political tensions, the Nigeria Police Force
has shut down the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) National Secretariat at Wadata
Plaza, Abuja, following violent clashes between rival factions.
The closure, which occurred on Wednesday, November 19, 2025, came after intense confrontations between groups loyal to Samuel Anyanwu and Tanimu Turaki, both of whom were attempting to hold separate meetings at the same venue.
The
police intervention was triggered by the growing risk of violence as supporters
of both factions gathered outside the Secretariat, chanting, drumming, and
singing in defiance.
Security
forces, including officers from the Directorate of State Services (DSS),
mounted heavy barricades with barbed wire around the premises to prevent
further escalation. The decision to shut down the Secretariat underscores the
seriousness of the internal crisis within the PDP, Nigeria’s main opposition
party.
The
factional struggle has been brewing for weeks, with disputes over leadership,
control of party structures, and alleged anti-party activities. Reports
indicate that the PDP National Executive Committee (NEC) recently expelled
several prominent figures, including governors and party elders, deepening the
divisions.
The
latest confrontation at Wadata Plaza highlights the fragility of the party’s
unity ahead of upcoming political contests.
This
shutdown is not an isolated incident but part of a broader pattern of
instability within the PDP. Just days earlier, the party witnessed expulsions
of key members such as Nyesom Wike and Ayodele Fayose, while other factions
moved to dissolve state chapters in Oyo, Bauchi, Ekiti, and Lagos.
The
crisis has drawn national attention, with fears that prolonged infighting could
weaken the PDP’s ability to challenge the ruling party in future elections.
Eyewitness
accounts describe a tense atmosphere around the Secretariat, with heavy police
presence and supporters refusing to disperse. Videos circulating show
barricades being erected and security forces maintaining strict control of the
area.
The
intervention, while preventing immediate violence, raises questions about the
future of Nigeria’s opposition politics and whether reconciliation within the
PDP is still possible.
The
unfolding events at Wadata Plaza mark yet another chapter in the long history
of internal battles within the PDP, a party that has struggled to maintain
cohesion since losing power in 2015.
As the
crisis deepens, the shutdown of its National Secretariat stands as a symbolic
reminder of the challenges facing Nigeria’s democracy, where factionalism and
political rivalry continue to undermine stability.
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