Wike camp expels Govs Makinde, Monammed
Anyanwu refutes being expelled by Makinde’s camp
The deepening crisis within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) erupted into violent confrontation on Monday as Kabiru Tanimu Turaki, forced his way into the party’s National Secretariat, Wadata Plaza, Abuja to assume duties as the National Chairman of the party.
His entry to take over the leadership of the party was amid fierce clashes between rival factions loyal to Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister Nyesom Wike and Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde, backed by policemen loyal to the respective factions.
Tension had been building since the party’s National Convention in Ibadan on November 15, where Turaki was overwhelmingly elected Chairman, while Wike, National Secretary Senator Samuel Anyanwu, former Ekiti State Governor Ayodele Fayose, and several others were expelled for alleged anti-party activities, sabotage, and attempts to undermine the party’s democratic processes.
The Wike bloc immediately rejected the outcome, insisting they remained the authentic leadership and vowing to resist what they described as an “illegal takeover.”
On Tuesday morning, both factions mobilised heavily around Wadata Plaza. What began as heated verbal exchanges quickly deteriorated into physical scuffles as supporters hurled stones and other objects, prompting security personnel to intervene.
Police officers deployed to the scene fired multiple rounds of tear gas to disperse the rival crowds, but the situation spiralled further out of control when Wike himself arrived with a convoy of loyalists, demanding access to the secretariat and insisting that his expulsion was invalid. Supporters aligned with Makinde resisted the move, pushing the confrontation to a dangerous crescendo.
The clashes left many scrambling for safety, including journalists and party officials who had gathered for Turaki’s scheduled inaugural National Working Committee (NWC) meeting. Several supporters sustained injuries in the melee, while tear gas seeped into the building and adjoining streets. The chaos underscored the widening gulf in the opposition party, which analysts warn could imperil its survival ahead of future electoral contests.
Despite the turmoil, Turaki, accompanied by Governors Bala Mohammed and Seyi Makinde, gained entry into the National Executive Committee (NEC) Hall after pushing through the barricades. Once inside, he addressed journalists in an emotionally charged speech, condemning what he called “enemies of democracy” and insisting the new leadership had reclaimed the party’s headquarters.
“I want to heartily welcome you to our Secretariat, the Wadata Plaza,” Turaki began. “We said in Ibadan after our election convention that we would come today to conduct our inaugural NWC meeting. But upon returning to Abuja, we discovered that some elements expelled by the National Convention—the highest decision-making organ of our party—had planned to disrupt this meeting.”
Turaki revealed that he had earlier met with the Commissioner of Police of the FCT to alert him of the planned meeting and the emergence of social media flyers announcing fake NEC and BOT meetings by the expelled group.
“He assured us that he is going to protect us and provide security for our meeting. I am happy that he fulfilled this promise,” he said. He commended the police for ensuring the leadership gained access to the complex.
However, citing the disturbances and the violent actions of the opposing faction, Turaki announced that the inaugural NWC meeting had been postponed until Wednesday.
“Due to some incidents caused by enemies of progress and enemies of democracy, we have decided to postpone this meeting. But I appreciate our leaders—our governors, National Assembly members, former governors, former ministers, BOT members, state chairmen, and members of the immediate past NWC—for their solidarity”, he said.
Turaki accused the rival faction of deploying thugs armed with tear gas, claiming the gas used outside was not from the police. “I don’t know how they procured this tear gas and are spraying it on us. But this has not and will never deter us,” he declared.
He warned that democracy was under serious threat in Nigeria, alleging a coordinated attempt to destabilise the PDP. “If democracy crumbles, that will be the end of this country—God forbid. But for us in the PDP, if it means laying down our lives for democracy to survive in Nigeria, we are prepared to do that,” he said.
Turaki vowed that the party’s headquarters had been fully reclaimed by its legitimate leadership and that he would continue to exercise authority from Wadata Plaza. “We have taken over our office and will continue to give leadership and direction to this party from our national headquarters,” he said.
Meanwhile, Wike’s faction has maintained its rejection of the Ibadan Convention and vowed to “fight back” and “retake the party,” signaling that the confrontation may mark only the beginning of a prolonged internal battle for the soul of the PDP.
Despite the disruption outside, the 103 NEC meeting presided over by the Acting National Chairman, Mohammed Abdulrahman, took sweeping decisions, including the expulsion of Governors Seyi Makinde (Oyo), Bala Mohammed (Bauchi), and Dauda Lawal (Zamfara), former BoT Chairman Senator Adolphus Wabara, former National Chairman Kabiru Tanimu Turaki (SAN), PDP chieftain Chief Bode George, and several others for alleged anti-party activities and disobedience to court orders.
The NEC also ratified the dissolution of State Executive Committees in Bauchi, Oyo, Zamfara, Yobe, Lagos, and Ekiti, while the Edo State Exco led by Barr. Nosa Ogieva was affirmed.
Reading the communique at the end of the meeting, National Secretary Senator Anyanwu said NEC convened to address “recent developments affecting the unity, stability, and constitutional order of our party.”
The NEC expressed alarm over “actions of some members who violated subsisting court orders by organising and attending a purported and unauthorized convention,” noting that the act had triggered “confusion, factionalisation, and defections.”
The communique announced the commencement of disciplinary procedures against several senior figures, including Wabara, George, Ben Obi, Turaki, Makinde, Bala Mohammed, Dauda Lawal, Taofeek Arapaja, Kamaldeen Suleiman, Udom Emmanuel, Umar Sani and others.
It also directed Chief Ali Odefa to refund all salaries and allowances collected after his expulsion in December 2024, and approved the appointment of Hon. Mohammed Abdulrahman as Acting National Chairman.
NEC instructed the legal team to begin moves to recover seats of all elected officials who defected from the PDP, in line with constitutional provisions.
The party further announced a nationwide reconciliation and membership revalidation exercise ahead of the 2027 elections, stressing that reconciliation would not compromise party discipline.
“The NEC affirms that the era of indiscipline is over,” the communique stated. “The PDP will not bow to lawlessness or personal ambition.”
Speaking before the NEC meeting, the embattled National Secretary Senator Samuel Anyanwu dismissed claims that he and other senior figures were expelled at the Ibadan gathering, insisting that no valid convention took place.
“One, I have not been expelled and all the names mentioned were never expelled. On what premise are you expelling us? What platform? That so-called convention never held. Every communication to INEC for any congress or convention must be signed by me, the National Secretary. I never communicated any such letter, and INEC never monitored any accreditation. Two-thirds of states were not even present. What happened in Ibadan was a jamboree,” he said.
Anyanwu said he had properly notified all security agencies and INEC on 14 November 2025 about the NEC and BoT meetings, which were widely publicized.
“This is our usual operation. Anytime we have a BoT or NEC meeting, we invite security agencies so they can protect our members. That is why you see the police here. It is not unusual,” he added.
He maintained that his office remains valid until 8 December and dismissed those trying to take over the secretariat as troublemakers.
“If we start our meeting and they come here to disrupt it, they are intruders. Anybody sensible cannot disrupt a legally convened meeting already in progress. If they want to hold a meeting, they can meet anywhere.”
Earlier, BoT Chairman Senator Mao Ohuabunwa and Acting National Chairman Abdulrahman urged members to remain steadfast, expressing confidence that the party would overcome its challenges.
Despite their assurances, the violent confrontation outside the secretariat underscored the depth of the crisis, with both factions insisting they remain the legitimate stewards of Africa’s largest opposition party.
