PDP Faces Internal Crisis: Rival Factions Schedule Concurrent Meetings at Secretariat
A deepening rift has emerged within Nigeria’s Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), as two rival factions scheduled separate but overlapping meetings at the party’s national secretariat in Wadata Plaza, Abuja, on Tuesday.
Samuel Anyanwu, an ally of FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, announced that his faction would hold an urgent national executive committee (NEC) meeting at 2 pm, following a board of trustees (BoT) session set for 11 am, both at the same venue.
The Anyanwu-Wike group described the meetings as mandatory, citing “critical matters” that would be on the agenda.
In response, Kabiru Turaki, the national chairman elected during the PDP’s convention in Ibadan, affirmed that his faction would also convene at Wadata Plaza. Turaki said their inaugural NEC meeting would kick off at 10 am, a gathering he described as the legitimate assertion of his leadership mandate.
Ahead of the meeting, Turaki said he had petitioned the Nigeria Police Force headquarters in Abuja, seeking protection. He claimed that some of those calling for parallel gatherings “are no longer members” of the party, citing decisions from the recent national convention in Ibadan. He warned against any breach of peace, noting that his faction was prepared to “lay down [their] lives” to defend their mandate.
On security, Turaki said the police had assured them of adequate protection to avoid any breakdown of law and order.