Tension flared at the national headquarters of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Abuja on Monday as loyalists of the faction allegedly aligned with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, besieged the party secretariat, calling for the immediate removal of the National Working Committee (NWC) led by Ambassador Umar Damagum.
Chanting solidarity songs, the protesters heightened the ongoing leadership crisis within the opposition party, insisting that Alhaji Mohammed Abdulrahman be recognised as the rightful acting national chairman.
They pledged to “take back control” of Wadata Plaza, which they described as belonging to the party’s “legitimate leadership.”
Security personnel were quickly mobilised to forestall violence, but by midday, the Abdulrahman faction had successfully taken possession of the national chairman’s office.
Addressing journalists, Abdulrahman said his group was determined to restore stability to the PDP, pledging to “work in the interest of the party” and “reunite all aggrieved members” ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The latest protest follows weeks of internal wrangling that have deepened divisions within the PDP. The crisis, which first erupted in October, stems from disciplinary actions and counter-suspensions between two factions within the National Working Committee.
On October 30, 2025, the Damagum-led NWC suspended four national officers, National Secretary Senator Samuel Anyanwu, National Legal Adviser Kamaideen Ajibade, Deputy Legal Adviser Okechukwu Osuoha, and National Organising Secretary Umar Bature, for alleged anti-party activities.
The decision, according to National Publicity Secretary Debo Ologunagba, was made to “protect the integrity of the party pending disciplinary investigation.”
Barely 24 hours later, the faction loyal to Wike retaliated. At a separate meeting in Abuja, the suspended National Secretary, Senator Anyanwu, announced the suspension of Damagum himself alongside five top party officials.
The group also named Alhaji Mohammed Abdulrahman, the Deputy National Chairman (North Central), as the PDP’s acting national chairman.
The Wike-backed camp accused Damagum and his allies of financial misconduct and incompetence, claiming the leadership had violated internal processes and ignored court orders.
The situation worsened on November 1 when Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court, Abuja, issued an injunction halting the PDP’s planned national elective convention earlier slated for November 15–16 in Ibadan, Oyo State.
Despite the ruling, senior officials loyal to Damagum insisted preparations would continue, further fuelling the perception of a divided party leadership.
In an interview, the PDP’s National Vice Chairman (South-South), Emmanuel Ogidi, dismissed the crisis as a “temporary storm,” comparing it to the 2016 leadership tussle involving Ali Modu Sheriff.
“This is not new,” Ogidi said. “We went through this before, and we survived. We will survive again. But the party must decide whether to reward loyalty or sabotage.”
Party insiders say the crisis reflects the ongoing power struggle between loyalists of Wike, who remains a controversial figure within the PDP, and members of the old guard aligned with the party’s governors and National Assembly caucus.
Though Wike serves in President Bola Tinubu’s APC-led administration, he has maintained that he is still a PDP member, a claim that has angered several party leaders who accuse him of working to destabilise the opposition from within.
Sources revealed that while Damagum enjoys the backing of the PDP Governors’ Forum, Abdulrahman’s ascension was orchestrated by the Wike bloc, signalling what many analysts see as an “internal coup.”
