Nigeria’s major opposition party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), descended deeper into turmoil on Tuesday as two rival power blocs clashed violently at the party’s national headquarters, Wadata Plaza, prompting unprecedented political rhetoric — including an appeal to former U.S. President Donald Trump for international intervention.
Armed security operatives from the Mobile Police Force, NSCDC, and DSS cordoned off the secretariat from the early hours of the morning as loyalists of Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister Nyesom Wike seized control of the premises ahead of rival National Working Committee (NWC) meetings summoned by opposing factions.
What followed was a day-long showdown that party elders described as the worst internal conflict the PDP has witnessed since its formation in 1998.
TWO GOVERNORS, TWO CHAIRMEN, ONE SECRETARIAT — AND A BARRAGE OF EXPULSIONS
The crisis was ignited by the controversial Ibadan national convention, from which two parallel leaderships emerged.
The Tanimu Turaki-led faction, backed by several PDP governors and founding elders, scheduled its inaugural NWC meeting for 10 a.m.
But by then, the Abdulrahman Mohammed faction, aligned with Wike, had already occupied the building, summoning its own NEC and BoT meetings for later in the day.
In a dramatic twist, the Abdulrahman-led NEC announced the expulsion of key party leaders:
Gov. Seyi Makinde (Oyo)
Gov. Bala Mohammed (Bauchi)
Gov. Dauda Lawal (Zamfara)
Sen. Tanimu Turaki (Factional National Chairman)
Sen. Adolphus Wabara (BoT Chairman)
Taofeek Arapaja (Deputy National Chairman, South)
…and over a dozen other influential figures.
The faction accused them of anti-party activities, violation of court orders, and participating in an “unauthorised, non-existent Ibadan convention.”
“WE WILL DIE HERE IF NECESSARY” — GOVERNORS FACE OFF WITH SECURITY, WIKE’S LOYALISTS
At the height of the confrontation, Gov. Bala Mohammed — Chairman of the PDP Governors’ Forum — stood in front of security barricades, visibly enraged.
“We are not going anywhere, even if they will kill us. This is our party. We refuse to be chased out by imposters,” he declared.
He accused the police of enabling Wike, saying the FCT Minister arrived “with armed thugs” under state protection.
Another governor was heard telling aides:
“This is no longer politics. This is survival.”
Wike himself did not speak publicly, but his presence at the secretariat — despite being declared expelled by the opposing faction — heightened tensions and fuelled allegations of state-backed interference.
ANYANWU: “I AM STILL NATIONAL SECRETARY– THERE WAS NO CONVENTION!”
Sen. Samuel Anyanwu, whose suspension has been a focal point of the crisis, insisted he remained the legitimate National Secretary until December 8.
He dismissed the Ibadan convention as a “jamboree,” arguing:
▪︎INEC was never notified
▪︎Two-thirds of accredited delegates were absent
▪︎Some “delegates” were allegedly “picked from the roadside and given PDP uniforms”
“Every communication to INEC must be signed by me. I never wrote any letter. Therefore, there was no convention anywhere,” he said.
He also justified the heavy security presence as “routine” for NEC and BoT meetings.
TURAKI’S INTERNATIONAL SOS: AN APPEAL TO DONALD TRUMP
In what analysts say may be the most extraordinary statement ever issued by a Nigerian party chairman, Sen. Tanimu Turaki escalated the crisis to global attention.
“I want to call on President Trump. Democracy is under threat in Nigeria. He should come and save Nigeria,” Turaki said in Abuja.
“A serving Minister is leading armed thugs with police connivance. We are willing to lay down our lives to protect our democracy.”
The appeal stunned observers, especially as Turaki framed the crisis as part of a broader existential threat to Nigeria’s democratic institutions.
He added that he had earlier sought police protection, but was “shocked and betrayed” to find Wike inside the secretariat with security backing.
A PARTY IN FREE FALL — OR A FIGHT FOR ITS SOUL?
As of Tuesday evening, both factions continued to hold parallel meetings, issue contradictory communiqués, dissolve each other’s state excos, and declare each other expelled.
Multiple patrol vans remained stationed along Wadata Road as crowds of drummers and protesters waved placards reading “No to Turaki” and “Turaki Must Go.”
Inside the building, loud chants of “PDP! Power!” clashed with accusations of “imposters,” “usurpers,” and “anti-party saboteurs.”
Meanwhile, moderates within the party warned that the PDP now risks:
▪︎Losing its status as Nigeria’s main opposition party
▪︎Mass defections ahead of the 2027 elections
▪︎Potential court takeover of the party structure
One senior BoT member reportedly lamented: “If this continues for one more week, there will be no PDP left to fight for.”
All sides insist they have the law — and the mandate — on their side.
The Turaki faction insists the Ibadan convention was valid and binding.
The Abdulrahman faction says the convention never legally existed.
Governors maintain the party is under attack “from within and outside.”
Security agencies have not provided a clear explanation for their role.
With no court ruling yet settling the leadership question, and both sides refusing to back down, the PDP’s battle for Wadata Plaza appears set for an extended, dangerous showdown.
For now, Nigeria’s largest opposition party remains barricaded, bitterly divided — and appealing to foreign powers as its internal war reaches unprecedented heights.
