Tension is rising within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as two rival factions prepare for a fresh confrontation over control of the party’s national secretariat at Wadata Plaza, Abuja. The showdown is expected to take place on Monday, as a caretaker committee backed by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, plans to reopen the secretariat with the support of the police.
The planned move has raised fears of clashes, given past incidents at the same location. Party members and security agencies are on alert, as both sides insist they have the legal and political right to control the PDP headquarters.
The latest development was confirmed on Thursday by the national secretary of the Wike-backed faction, Senator Samuel Anyanwu. He spoke after a closed-door meeting at the headquarters of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Abuja. According to Anyanwu, the caretaker committee will resume operations at the Wadata Plaza secretariat on Monday.
Anyanwu said the committee was acting to restore order and ensure that the party’s national secretariat functions properly. He accused the rival group of unlawfully occupying the building and frustrating party activities.
However, the camp backed by Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde and Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed has rejected the plan. This group is aligned with a faction led by Tanimu Turaki, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN). The governors and their supporters argue that the Wike-backed caretaker committee has no legal backing and should not take over the secretariat.
At the heart of the crisis is a long-running struggle for control of the PDP at the national level. The dispute has divided party leaders, governors, lawmakers, and members across the country. It has also weakened the party’s ability to act as a united opposition.
The Makinde-backed faction traces its authority to a PDP national convention held in Ibadan, Oyo State, on November 15, 2025. That convention, according to the group, produced a legitimate national leadership for the party. Tanimu Turaki has consistently claimed that the outcome of the Ibadan convention represents the will of PDP members.
However, the matter took a new turn after a ruling by the Federal High Court sitting in Ibadan. The court overturned the convention, raising questions about the legality of the leadership that emerged from it. The court ruling has since been used by the Wike-backed faction to justify the setting up of a 13-member caretaker committee to manage the affairs of the party.
Supporters of Wike argue that the caretaker committee is necessary to stabilise the PDP and prepare it for future elections. They also insist that the court judgment gives them the right to take over the party’s national secretariat.
On the other hand, the Makinde camp says the caretaker committee was imposed and does not reflect the wishes of PDP members nationwide. They accuse Wike of using his influence as FCT minister and his closeness to security agencies to force his way into the party structure.
This is not the first time the dispute has led to physical tension at Wadata Plaza. In a previous attempt by both factions to access the secretariat, supporters clashed, leading to police intervention. The incident disrupted activities around the area and attracted public attention, further damaging the party’s image.
Since then, the PDP secretariat has remained largely inactive, with many party activities suspended or moved elsewhere. Party staff have also been caught in the middle, unsure of which leadership to recognise.
Observers warn that if the current crisis is not resolved quickly, it could affect the PDP’s chances in future elections. They note that voters may lose confidence in a party that cannot manage its own internal affairs.
Security agencies are expected to be on ground on Monday to prevent violence. However, there are concerns that the presence of police may not be enough if supporters from both sides mobilise in large numbers.
As of Sunday evening, efforts by senior party elders to mediate between the two factions had not produced any breakthrough. Calls for calm and dialogue have continued, but both sides remain firm in their positions.
For now, all eyes are on Wadata Plaza, as the PDP faces another critical test of unity and leadership. Whether Monday’s planned reopening will go smoothly or descend into chaos remains to be seen.