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A dramatic showdown unfolded at the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) National Secretariat in Abuja on Tuesday, as Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike and the governors of Oyo State, Seyi Makinde, and Bauchi State, Bala Mohammed, clashed in a heated struggle for control of the party’s national headquarters.
According to ARISE News Correspondent Mary Chinda, security operatives loyal to both factions engaged in a violent confrontation, resulting in a free-for-all outside the Wuse Zone 5 premises. Thick tear gas filled the air as tensions escalated, forcing party members, staff, and bystanders to scamper for safety.
The crisis intensified when Governor Makinde arrived with the newly elected National Secretary, Taofeek Arapaja, in an attempt to take charge of the secretariat. However, Wike held his ground inside the building alongside Samuel Anyanwu, the embattled National Secretary who insists his tenure remains valid until December 8, 2025.
The standoff has further deepened anxiety within the PDP, with several party leaders accusing the police of failing to maintain neutrality amid the escalating leadership crisis. Many warn that the situation, if left unchecked, could worsen internal divisions within the opposition party.
The confrontation highlights what insiders describe as one of the most intense internal power struggles the PDP has faced in recent years.