Kabiru Turaki formally assumes duty as PDP national chairman after violent clashes at the Wadata Secretariat, as rival factions loyal to Nyesom Wike resist his takeover
Turaki Assumes PDP Chairmanship After Violent Face-Off at Wadata Secretariat On Tuesday
A dramatic turn of events unfolded at the Wadata Plaza in Abuja on Tuesday as Kabiru Turaki formally assumed office as the national chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), hours after a tense confrontation between rival factions left the party’s headquarters in chaos.
Turaki’s resumption followed a heated seven-hour standoff with members of the opposing faction who were expelled at the party’s recent national convention in Ibadan. Speaking to journalists shortly after taking possession of his office, he said, “For the past seven hours, Nigerians are living witnesses to the struggle we’ve been engaged in with those renegade members of our party that were expelled at our national convention in Ibadan.”
He accused the group of arriving with “armed thugs” to disrupt activities at the secretariat, adding, “They came here with armed thugs that we did predict would disrupt our meetings, but God so kind, we were able to contain them effectively.”
Turaki confirmed that he had successfully taken control of the PDP headquarters, “Now, we have driven them out of the secretariat, and, as you can see, I have entered my office; I have assumed leadership as the elected chairman.”
Earlier in the day, supporters loyal to Samuel Anyanwu and FCT Minister Nyesom Wike—who have rejected their expulsion—insisted they would not vacate the secretariat. This triggered confrontations as Turaki arrived with Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde, Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed, and newly elected party executives.
Chaos erupted when Anyanwu’s supporters attempted to block their entry, prompting security operatives to fire multiple rounds of teargas.
Recounting the violence, Turaki said, “If we had not exercised restraint, if we had not controlled our members and our leaders, there would have been bloodshed here.”
“We have been tear-gassed, and I think more than 50 canisters of tear gas had been shot at us. But we remained relentless and will continue to remain relentless.”
Despite the tensions, the PDP chairman vowed that the party would remain steadfast in its mission, “We shall continue to defend democracy; we shall continue to act as the vanguards of democracy.”
He added that with his assumption of office, “PDP is back on course.”The confrontation is the latest chapter in the PDP’s escalating leadership crisis. The party’s convention in Ibadan—held last weekend despite contradictory court rulings—resulted in the expulsion of Anyanwu, Wike, former Ekiti State governor Ayodele Fayose, and several others for alleged anti-party activities.
However, Anyanwu’s camp has dismissed the actions taken at the convention, describing the process as a “jamboree” and declaring their suspension illegal. Read More
