18/11/2025
Abuja, Nigeria — The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) was forced to postpone its National Working Committee (NWC) meeting on Tuesday following significant unrest and a physical standoff outside its national secretariat at Wuse, Abuja.
PDP National Chairman Tanimu Turaki, speaking at the party headquarters alongside Governors Seyi Makinde of Oyo and Bala Mohammed of Bauchi, announced the postponement until Wednesday. He attributed the decision to disruptions caused by opponents of the current leadership.
“Due to some incidents caused by those who are the enemies of progress, the enemies of democracy, we have decided to postpone this meeting till tomorrow,” Turaki stated, reiterating the party's commitment to peace.
Key Details of the Standoff:
Factional Split: The crisis is fueled by a protracted standoff between the Turaki faction and supporters of the powerful Nyesom Wike-led bloc.
Contested Leadership: Turaki's chairmanship is disputed, having emerged from a disputed convention on Saturday that the Wike faction boycotted.
Secretariat Takeover: Supporters of the Wike-backed faction, primarily women and youth groups, took over the streets around Wadata Plaza, protesting with placards reading “No to Turaki” and “Turaki must go.”
Anyanwu's Role: The Wike-backed faction reportedly gained control of the secretariat by 9:45 am, led by the sacked Acting National Secretary, Samuel Anyanwu, and accompanied by heavily armed police personnel.
Security Assurances: Turaki disclosed he had informed the FCT Commissioner of Police of the planned inaugural NWC meeting and had received assurances that security would be provided to enable them to conduct the meeting and gain entry to the secretariat.
The postponement underscores the deep-seated internal crisis threatening the unity of the PDP.
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