Calm at PDP Secretariat as factions await security decision

Calm prevailed on Monday around the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) national secretariat at Wadata Plaza, Abuja, despite rising political tension over plans by a faction aligned with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, to reopen the facility after months of closure.

Rival factions of the party are now waiting to see whether security agencies will permit access to the premises, which has remained sealed since November 2025 amid a deepening leadership crisis.

Samuel Anyanwu, acting national secretary of the Abdulrahman Mohammed–led PDP caretaker committee, had earlier announced that the party’s national headquarters would reopen on Monday, citing what his faction described as favourable court rulings and the dismissal of attempts by rival groups to compel the police to keep the building shut.

However, the move has been strongly opposed by another faction, which insists that the matter remains before the courts and that any attempt to reopen the secretariat would amount to self-help and contempt of court.

The Wadata Plaza complex was sealed by the police in November 2025 following attempts by rival factions to hold parallel National Executive Committee (NEC) meetings at the venue, leading to clashes among supporters and prompting security intervention. Since then, the facility has remained closed, becoming a symbol of the party’s internal struggle for control ahead of the 2027 general elections.

On Monday, security presence around the complex remained noticeable, although no confrontation had been reported as of the time of filing this report.

Reacting to the planned reopening, Ini Ememobong, National Publicity Secretary of the Kabiru Turaki–led faction, said the group had formally written to the Inspector-General of Police and the Commissioner of Police, FCT Command, warning against granting access to the secretariat.

“We have been notified of the intention of some expelled members of our party to either forcibly or in connivance with security forces gain access to and occupy our National Secretariat,” Ememobong said.

He stressed that the secretariat remains a subject of litigation before the Federal High Court, Abuja, and the Court of Appeal, warning that any attempt to reopen it pending the determination of the suits would amount to contempt of court.

“This statement serves to remind all concerned, especially the Nigeria Police Force, which is a party to the suit, that granting access to anybody at this time would be an affront to the authority of the courts,” he said, adding that the faction would deploy all legal means to protect the party’s property.

Similarly, Farida Umar, a member of the PDP National Executive Committee and Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the same faction, rejected the reopening plan, insisting that the Wike-aligned group had no legal authority to occupy the secretariat.

“The matter is still before the Court of Appeal. They have no right to move in or claim the secretariat, and the police have no basis to support such action,” she said.

Leaders of the Wike-aligned bloc, however, maintain that recent court pronouncements and recognition by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) have clarified the question of the party’s legitimate leadership. They argue that the recognised caretaker committee now has the authority to resume operations at the national headquarters.

A source familiar with the faction’s position said the Federal High Court had issued a declaratory judgment identifying the legitimate leadership of the party, a position which, according to the source, aligns with INEC’s records.

“If the party has a recognised leadership, then it has the right to occupy its office. There should be no reason to keep Wadata sealed,” the source said, expressing support for the immediate reopening of the secretariat.

A security source said authorities were focused on preventing any forced entry or confrontation at the facility.

“Security remains tight to ensure that nobody forces their way in,” the source said.

Meanwhile, a party source blamed the crisis on personal political interests, warning that continued internal conflict could weaken the opposition ahead of the next general elections.

Responding to enquiries, FCT Police spokesperson, Josephine Adeh, said the command had not been formally briefed on any plan to unseal the facility.

“I have limited information on any plan to unseal the PDP secretariat. I have not been officially briefed,” she said.

Control of the PDP national secretariat is widely regarded within party circles as critical, as it determines administrative authority, recognition of party executives, coordination of national activities, and operational control of party structures ahead of the 2027 polls.