Peoples Democratic Party Crisis: Governors Take Over Secretariat As Wike’s Camp Expels Makinde, Others
The crisis rocking the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) became violent yesterday as the camp led by the party’s governors and that of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) minister, Nyesom Wike, clashed at the party’s national secretariat in Abuja.
The showdown, which resulted from a clash of meetings fixed by both camps, was a culmination of a long tussle for control of the party’s soul.
However, while the governors’ camp which had the new national chairman, Tanimu Turaki, assumed control of the secretariat, Wike’s camp declared the expulsion of some governors and other party leaders.
However, the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), was drawn into the rift as it tackled the opposition party’s new chairman, Tanimu Turaki, for calling on the United States President Donald Trump to save the country’s democracy.
Turaki had made the call to Trump during the clash between the warring PDP camps at the PDP national secretariat.
The APC condemned and described Turaki’s call for foreign invasion of Nigeria as reckless.
Addressing newsmen in Abuja after a fracas at the PDP national secretariat on Tuesday, Turaki called on the United States President, Donald Trump, to save Nigerian democracy which, he said, is at stake.
“I want to call on President Trump. What is at stake is not just genocide against Christians; he should come and save democracy in Nigeria. Democracy is under threat. I am calling all other developed nations, all advanced democracies, come and save Nigeria,” he said.
Turaki had accused the camp loyal to the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike, of enjoying the backing of the ruling APC.
He also called on President Bola Tinubu to call Wike to order, adding that the conduct of his loyalists at the PDP secretariat yesterday was unbecoming.
The PDP chairman’s call for Trump’s intervention comes against the backdrop of the US president’s threat of military intervention in Nigeria over an alleged Christian genocide, a claim denied by the federal government.
But reacting to the development, the APC national publicity secretary, Felix Morka, said Turaki’s call for foreign invasion of Nigeria is reckless and unpatriotic.
“For a man declared National Chairman barely 72 hours ago by a faction of his deeply fractured party, Turaki looked and sounded desperate, at his wit’s end, confused, incoherent, and grossly lacking in stamina and capacity to manage his party’s crisis.
“Nigerians expected that Turaki would set himself on an urgent peace-building mission to bring his party’s warring factions together in dialogue towards finding possible pathways to peace and reconciliation. Instead, Turaki’s first official act as factional chairman was his call for foreign invasion of Nigeria as a solution to the self-inflicted internal crisis of his PDP. That is as shameless as it is a dangerous threat to national security and sovereignty,” he said.
PDP Headquarters Under Siege: Wike, Makinde Camps Clash Amid Police Tear Gas
Earlier, tension at the PDP national headquarters in Abuja reached boiling point yesterday, as rival factions turned the premises into a battleground over competing claims to party leadership.
A large crowd of thugs, reportedly loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, and Governors Seyi Makinde of Oyo and Bala Mohammed of Bauchi, stormed the Wadata Plaza headquarters, forcing their way past security barricades and nearly pulling down the entrance gate. Some scaled the fence into the compound in what witnesses described as a “hostile takeover”.
The chaos erupted as supporters of both camps traded abuses and chanted war songs. “Makinde ole! Makinde ole!” roared one camp, while the other directed unprintable names at Wike.
In a desperate attempt to restore order, police officers stationed at the premises fired tear gas canisters to disperse the intruders. But the situation quickly escalated as the tear gas spread across the compound, causing staff, journalists and curious onlookers to flee for safety.
“The air was choking, people were confused. We had to run,” a shaken staff member told LEADERSHIP.
Despite the intervention of the FCT Commissioner of Police, CP Miller G. Dantawaye, who ordered all parties to vacate the premises, Governors Makinde and Bala Mohammed refused to leave, insisting that they would only step out if Wike also exited the building.
Although the minister, who was alleged to be in a car stationed near the entrance of the main building and guarded by a heavy security detachment, did not come down from his vehicle, the two governors were physically seen walking around the compound.
The standoff lasted nearly three hours. Both sides remained holed up in their vehicles, with their supporters chanting outside the compound and daring the opposing faction to make a move.
Before the turmoil, the suspended National Secretary of the party, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, told journalists that he had formally notified the police and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of a National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting planned for November 18.
“We are protecting the party,” Anyanwu insisted. “Those pretending to be leaders are acting outside their powers. That so-called Ibadan convention was a charade.”
Earlier, Tanimu Turaki, who emerged as National Chairman from the Ibadan convention, accused “expelled elements” of instigating thuggery to derail the party’s progress.
“We came here today to hold our inaugural National Working Committee (NWC) meeting,” Turaki said. “But those who are enemies of democracy brought thugs, armed with tear gas, to stop us. However, we shall not be intimidated.”
Turaki commended the police for their intervention, noting that democracy in Nigeria was under grave threat. He added that the NWC meeting had been postponed till today.
“As long as the PDP remains the hope of this country, we will defend democracy, even if it means paying the ultimate price,” he said.
However, the Turaki-led PDP has taken over control of the secretariat.
Wike’s PDP NEC Expels Makinde, Bala Mohammed, Bode George, Others…
The National Executive Committee (NEC) of the PDP has ratified the expulsion of the Governors of Oyo, Bauchi and Zamfara States — Seyi Makinde, Bala Mohammed and Dauda Lawal respectively — former Board of Trustees Chairman, Senator Adolphus Wabara, Senator Kabiru Tanimu Turaki, Deputy National Chairman (South), Taofeek Arapaja, and others, for anti-party activities.
The NEC also ratified the dissolution of the State Executive Councils of Bauchi, Oyo, Zamfara, Yobe, Lagos, Edo and Ekiti States.
These decisions were taken at the 103rd NEC meeting of the party held at the party’s national secretariat in Abuja yesterday.
Acting National Chairman of the PDP, Alhaji Mohammed Abdulrahman, who presented the memo for the expulsion, said it was as a result of the affected party members’ disregard for court judgements, an action he said brought the party into disrepute.
The NEC meeting’s communiqué was read by the national secretary, Senator Samuel Anyanwu.
The communiqué stated that the National Executive Committee (NEC) met on 18 November 2025 to address pressing developments affecting the party’s unity, stability and constitutional order. At a moment when Nigerians look to the PDP for leadership, the Committee said it convened to uphold truth, justice, discipline and respect for the rule of law.
NEC expressed serious concern over the conduct of members who defied subsisting court orders by organising and participating in what it described as an unauthorised and purported convention. According to the communiqué, the action fuelled confusion, fostered factional divisions and triggered defections among governors and legislators nationwide.
The Committee reaffirmed that the PDP derives its legitimacy from strict adherence to its constitution and that of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, rather than from acts of impunity. It also considered the report presented by the Acting National Chairman, Hon. Abdulrahman Mohammed, detailing alleged breaches of Articles 58(1) and 59(1), which include anti-party activities, disobedience to court orders and conduct capable of bringing the party into disrepute.
Following deliberations, NEC approved the commencement of disciplinary measures against several party members and resolved that Chief Ali Odefa must refund all salaries and allowances collected after his expulsion on 12 December 2024. The Committee also ratified Hon. Chidiebere Egwu Goodluck as Acting National Vice Chairman (South East).
It further dissolved the State Executive Committees of Bauchi, Oyo, Zamfara, Yobe, Lagos and Ekiti States, directing the National Working Committee (NWC) to immediately set up caretaker committees and begin fresh congresses. The Edo State Exco led by Barr. Nosa Ogieva was, however, approved.
NEC instructed deputies occupying NWC positions affected by expulsions to assume the substantive roles in acting capacity and formally ratified the appointment of Alhaji Mohammed Abdulrahman as Acting National Chairman.
Legal action is to commence immediately to recover the seats of all elected officials who defected from the PDP, in line with Sections 68(1)(g) and 109(1)(g) of the 1999 Constitution.
The Committee also approved a party-wide reconciliation process aimed at healing divisions and rebuilding trust, while emphasising that such reconciliation must not come at the expense of discipline. A full membership audit and revalidation exercise will begin ahead of the 2027 elections.
NEC noted the concerns among party members and reassured them that the decisions taken were intended to stabilise and strengthen the PDP.
“The NEC affirms that the era of indiscipline is over. The PDP will not bow to lawlessness or personal ambition.
“With unity, discipline and renewed purpose, the PDP will rebuild stronger and restore public confidence ahead of the next electoral cycle,” it said.
Earlier in their opening remarks, the BoT chairman, Senator Mao Ohuabunwa, and acting national chairman, Alhaji Mohammed Abdulrahman, urged party members to remain steadfast, expressing confidence that the PDP will surmount its problems.
ADC Condemns Violent Attack on PDP Headquarters
Meanwhile, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) has condemned what it describes as a “disturbing and dangerous assault on democracy” following the violent attack on the National Secretariat of the PDP in Abuja by armed men under the command of senior officials of the ruling party, warning that the country’s democracy is under siege.
In a statement signed by its national publicity secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, the ADC criticised the Tinubu administration for employing violence in its bid to take control of another political party.
The party warned that such actions are a direct threat to multiparty democracy and advance the ruling party’s desire to entrench a one-party rule in Nigeria.
“The incident, without doubt, is a dangerous assault on Nigeria’s democracy, which must be condemned by everyone, regardless of party affiliation.
“Based on its various actions and machinations since coming to power, this government’s anti-democratic credentials are no longer in doubt. However, this latest assault represents a new and dangerous low, even by the already worrying standards of the Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration,” the party said.