PDP crisis deepens as Wike-backed faction vows to seize party secretariat amid legal feud

Fresh tensions have erupted within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as a caretaker committee aligned with Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike announced plans to forcibly reopen the party’s sealed national secretariat in Abuja on Monday, with police support.

The move has heightened fears of a violent confrontation between rival factions, each claiming legitimacy amid ongoing court battles over the party’s leadership.

Samuel Anyanwu, National Secretary of the Wike-backed group, declared the takeover plan following a closed-door meeting at the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) headquarters on Thursday.

The party has been split by a protracted power struggle between a faction led by Tanimu Turaki (SAN)—which enjoys the support of several PDP governors, including Seyi Makinde of Oyo and Bala Mohammed of Bauchi—and the 13-member caretaker committee loyal to Wike.

While Turaki’s group asserts the validity of a national convention held in Ibadan on November 15, 2025, that convention was reportedly invalidated by a Federal High Court ruling in Ibadan.

A previous attempt by factions to access the Wadata Plaza secretariat ended in clashes and police intervention.

Jogudo Mohammed, Publicity Secretary for the caretaker committee, confirmed that police have been directed to reopen the secretariat in line with the Ibadan court judgment.

“Once the secretariat has been fumigated, the committee plans to proceed with convention activities there,” Mohammed stated.

He added that the sale of nomination forms for elective positions ahead of a March convention is set to begin on Tuesday at the secretariat.

Mohammed emphasized that the court ruling remains legally binding despite pending appeals, warning that any attempt by the Turaki-led National Working Committee to obstruct activities could amount to contempt of court.

A senior committee member expressed confidence that security agencies would enforce the court order, noting that INEC, the Inspector General of Police, and the DSS had been served certified copies of the judgment.

In response, the Turaki-led faction cautioned against “self-help” and stressed that the matter is still before the courts.

National Publicity Secretary Ini Ememobong stated, “Whatever happens tomorrow, the responsibility will be on the police. Our suit is still pending… and the Court of Appeal matter is also still alive.”

The faction expressed hope that the Court of Appeal would provide clarity and relief.

Eddy Olafeso, a former PDP National Vice Chairman (South West), downplayed the significance of the secretariat dispute, calling it a “minor issue” in the wider legal contest.

“What I can assure you is that this crisis won’t be the end of the PDP,” Olafeso said. “We remain hopeful that the cases in the Court of Appeal will be heard and that there will be some form of fair justice.”

About The Author

Dele Fashomi

Dele Fashomi, seasoned journalist and communication teacher, is a holder of Master of Arts degree in Communication and Language Arts from the University of Ibadan in 1992/93.

Earlier, he had bagged a Bachelor degree from the same university in 1984, after which he proceeded to the Nigerian Institute of Journalism, Lagos, in 1990, for a postgraduate diploma in Journalism.

He had done many courses in communication, including the EU-BBC Editing Course in 2002.

Mr. Fashomi combines effectively the practice, research and teaching of communication. And to date, he has published two academic works in communication: Issues in Communication Technology and Policy (2010) and Economic and Social Issues in Advertising and PR (2013).

He had his first break in the Nigerian media in Concord Newspapers in 1990 and today, he has over two and half decades experience earned in several newspapers.

He has been part of many start-ups, such as The Republic (1987), The Comet (1999), The Anchor 2001 – 2002; Sun Newspapers (2003); Westerner newsmagazine (2005 – 2010) as Editor; National Life (2011) as Sunday Editor, and Newswatch Newspapers (2012- 2016) as Daily Editor.

Dele Fashomi is now the Publisher/Editor-in-Chief of Newstide247.com newspaper online, which he started in July 2015. He is also into biography writing, with many books in his trail, some of which he wrote alone and one he co- authored with his mentor, Mr Dare Babarinsa, entitled:  Olabiyi Durojaiye – DARE TO BE DiFFERENT. He also guided and collaborated with Pa Olatunji Odusanya in writing his autobiography – AGAINST ALL ODDS. There are many other books in the works under his pen.

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