By Our Correspondent
Tension has returned to the national headquarters of the Peoples Democratic Party in Abuja after a faction loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, moved to take control of the party secretariat and announced Mohammed Abdulrahman as Acting National Chairman.
Security was tightened around the PDP’s Wadata Plaza secretariat on Monday as police officers took positions to prevent a possible clash between rival groups. Access to the complex was restricted, and staff were reportedly turned away as confusion spread over who now controls the party’s administrative base.
Supporters of the pro-Wike faction said Abdulrahman’s appointment followed due process and was aimed at restoring order and credibility to the party’s leadership. They accused the current leadership of allowing internal divisions to fester and claimed that decisive action was needed to save the PDP from further decline.
However, members loyal to the suspended National Chairman, Umar Damagum, dismissed the development as unlawful. They said the faction had no authority to make such an appointment without approval from the party’s National Executive Committee or its National Working Committee, describing the move as a political coup.
The power struggle is the latest chapter in a long-running internal crisis that has split the PDP since the 2023 general elections. The rift between Wike and other party leaders, including sitting governors and national officers, has weakened the opposition’s cohesion and cast doubt on its readiness for upcoming elections.
Analysts say control of the PDP secretariat is crucial because it determines who manages party operations, documents, and logistics. With congresses and conventions on the horizon, control of the secretariat could decide which faction ultimately dominates the party’s structure.
Police officers remained on the ground late into the evening to maintain peace, while party officials continued behind-the-scenes talks to prevent a full-blown confrontation. The PDP’s national publicity department has yet to issue an official statement, but sources within the party say legal action may be imminent.
Observers warn that unless the PDP resolves its internal conflicts quickly, it risks losing further ground as the country’s main opposition force. The unfolding drama at the secretariat underscores the scale of division now threatening the party’s future.
