By Our Correspondent
Fresh tension has erupted within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as rival factions square off over plans to reopen the party’s national secretariat in Abuja, deepening an already protracted leadership crisis within Nigeria’s main opposition party.
The dispute centres on Wadata Plaza, the PDP national headquarters, which has remained sealed by security agencies following violent clashes between opposing groups last year.
While one faction has announced plans to reopen the secretariat and resume party activities, the opposing camp has strongly resisted the move, warning that it could worsen internal instability and undermine ongoing court proceedings.
The faction aligned with the party’s caretaker leadership, believed to enjoy the backing of Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike, insists that recent court rulings have validated its authority.
According to the group, the reopening of the secretariat is both lawful and necessary to restore normal party operations, particularly as preparations for future elections gather momentum. Leaders of this faction argue that continued closure of the headquarters is harming the party’s cohesion and administrative effectiveness.
However, the rival faction, led by members of the dissolved National Working Committee (NWC), has condemned the planned reopening, describing it as premature and illegal.
The group maintains that critical aspects of the leadership dispute remain before the courts and has cautioned security agencies against allowing any faction to forcefully take control of the secretariat. It argues that such action would amount to self-help and could provoke fresh violence.
In formal communications to security authorities, the opposing faction warned that reopening the building without a clear judicial resolution could destabilise the party further and damage its public image. It also accused rival leaders of attempting to use state influence to gain advantage in an internal party matter.
The standoff underscores the depth of the crisis rocking the PDP, which has been plagued by leadership disputes, parallel party structures, and legal battles since the aftermath of recent national elections. Political observers warn that unless the conflict is resolved through dialogue or the courts, the party risks entering future electoral contests weakened and divided.
As the proposed reopening date approaches, all eyes remain on security agencies and the judiciary, whose actions are expected to play a decisive role in determining the next phase of the PDP’s internal power struggle.
