Key Points
- Nyesom Wike and two governors arrive to claim PDP office. Each side says it controls the post of national secretary.
- Police and loyal aides clash outside as tension quickly rises. Teargas spreads round the street while staff and passersby flee.
- Makinde backs Taofeek Arapaja as new national secretary for PDP. Wike stands with Samuel Anyanwu who insists his term remains.
A fresh power clash broke out on Tuesday at the PDP secretariat. Minister Nyesom Wike (Ezenwo Nyesom Wike) faced two PDP governors there.
Oyo leader Seyi Makinde (Oluseyi Abiodun Makinde) and Bauchi’s Bala Mohammed arrived. Both men came with rival secretaries as they tried to seize control. The tense scene drew heavy police presence and alarm among party elders.
How rival camps reached the party office
Makinde led a group of aides and supporters who backed Taofeek Arapaja. They said Arapaja was the rightful national secretary chosen at a recent meeting. They cited other PDP legal fights, including the Kenneth Okonkwo INEC seat case.
On the other side, Wike stood firm with Samuel Anyanwu beside him. Anyanwu said his mandate as national secretary remained valid until December twenty twenty five. He called the bid to replace him a plot that ignores party rules.
Party staff and visitors watched as both camps argued at the gate. Some begged the rival leaders to meet inside first and calm things down. Their pleas failed and the crowd soon grew louder, drawing more police trucks.
Teargas and scramble outside the building
Witnesses said police loyal to each side then moved towards the door. Shouting started and some men pushed one another as tempers rose fast. In the chaos, canisters were fired and teargas covered nearby streets and shops.
People in homes and offices near the building rushed out to breathe. Drivers abandoned parked cars as the gas spread through the busy area. Observers compared the clash to other party strains, including Peter Mbah APC defection story.
Fears over police role and party future
Senior party figures later warned that the open fight could hurt the PDP. They said the main opposition must not appear weak as elections draw near. Some urged both camps to seek clear answers in court instead of street shows.
Members also raised concerns, accusing police men of favouring one group. They argued that law enforcers at party events should stay firm but neutral. Critics said scenes like this could scare young people away from politics.
Despite the tension, no deaths were reported and calm slowly returned to Wuse. Talks on who truly runs the secretariat are set to continue behind closed doors.
Party supporters across Nigeria will watch how leaders fix this fight in coming days. Many now call for calm heads, respect for rules, and a peaceful fix.
