By Obinna Uballa
The leadership crisis in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) escalated dramatically on Tuesday as rival factions clashed at the party’s national secretariat, Wadata Plaza, Abuja, forcing security operatives to fire teargas and triggering a chaotic confrontation between opposing loyalists.
Kabiru Turaki, the newly elected national chairman, who later addressed journalists inside the besieged secretariat, declared that the party was prepared to “lay down our lives” in defence of Nigeria’s democracy.
“Democracy is under threat in Nigeria,” Turaki said, his voice hoarse from teargas exposure. “If it will take the laying down of our lives to defend this democracy, we will gladly do it. We call on the international community to intervene before things deteriorate further.”
Speaking further, he said, “We want peace. We want to take over the governance of this country, and we can only do that standing. We do not want violence, but we are ready to defend our democracy.”
The crisis erupted after both the Wike-backed faction and the Turaki-led National Working Committee (NWC) fixed overlapping meetings at the secretariat, an apparent battle for legitimacy following Saturday’s controversial national convention in Ibadan.
Witnesses said security personnel loyal to the Nyesom Wike faction had locked the gates of the secretariat, prompting confrontation as supporters of Turaki, backed by Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde and Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed, attempted to gain entry. Several policemen stationed at the gate were reportedly assaulted in the fracas.
Makinde and Mohammed eventually forced their way into the premises, but both governors later told reporters they were teargassed by police officers allegedly acting under the influence of the opposing faction.
“We were teargassed for simply trying to attend a lawful party meeting,” Makinde said. “This cannot be the future of the PDP.”
Bala Mohammed added that the resistance they faced was “a coordinated attempt to intimidate and hijack the party.”
When Turaki took the podium, he accused unidentified individuals of deploying “non-police teargas,” insisting the substance used against members did not appear to be police-issued.
“These are not police teargas canisters. I don’t know how they procured them,” he said. “But we will not be deterred. We have taken back our office and will continue to provide leadership from Wadata Plaza.”
The turmoil follows the PDP convention in Ibadan, where delegates elected Turaki as national chairman and approved the expulsion of key figures, including Minister of the Federal Capital Territory Nyesom Wike, former Ekiti Governor Ayo Fayose, and suspended National Secretary Samuel Anyanwu, over alleged anti-party activities. The motion was moved by elder statesman Chief Bode George and ratified by delegates.
Wike, who arrived at Wadata Plaza during the confrontation, remained inside his vehicle for more than 30 minutes and did not immediately address the press.
