Yesterday, the battle for the control of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) shifted from the convention ground in Ibadan to the Wadata Plaza in Abuja.
The two factions clashed over control of the party’s national headquarters.
Trouble started at the secretariat when the two factions, led by the National Chairman, Kabiru Tanimu Turaki, and Acting National Chairman Abdulrahman Mohammed, decided to hold their meetings.
At about 8 am, members of the Wike/Mohammed faction, including the National Secretary, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, and the faction’s Board of Trustees (BoT) Chairman, Sam Ohuabunwa, arrived at the Secretariat for their National Executive Committee (NEC) and Board of Trustees (BoT) meetings.
Two hours later, Turaki, who was elected as National Chairman at the weekend’s National Convention in Ibadan, Oyo State capital, led his faction to the premises for their inaugural National Working Committee (NWC) meeting.
During the convention, the faction expelled 11 chieftains, including Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister Nyesom Wike, Anyanwu, former Ekiti State Governor Ayodele Fayose and National Organising Secretary Umar Bature.
With Turaki were three governors – Seyi Makinde (Oyo State), Bala Mohammed (Bauchi), Dauda Lawal (Zamfara), and Deputy National Chairman, Taofeek Arapaja.
Tension rose as the Turaki group, which was initially prevented from gaining access to the Secretariat by the police, forced their way into the NEC Hall where the factional BoT was meeting.
To forestall chaos, the police fired tear gas to disperse supporters of the factions who showed up in solidarity.
While attempting to leave the Secretariat, Turaki and the governors were informed that the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike, was on his way, forcing them to stay back.
After the gates were opened for Wike, the Bauchi governor told the Deputy Commissioner of Police, who led the police team, that they would only leave the secretariat if Wike left.
But Wike, who did not step out of his vehicle, remained at the secretariat.
Turaki, who announced that he had come to take over the secretariat, lamented the disruption by the other faction.
He urged United States President Donald Trump to intervene in the PDP crisis to save democracy in Nigeria.
After the factional NEC meeting, Anyanwu announced the expulsion of Makinde, Bala Mohammed and Lawal from the party.
Also expelled are the BoT Chairman, Senator Adolphus Wabara, Turaki, Arapaja, former Deputy National Chairman, Chief Bode George, Senator Ben Obi, Setonji Koshoedo, Okechukwu Obiechina Daniel, Woyengikuro Daniel, Mohammed Kadade Suleiman, Emmanuel Ogidi, Sumaila Adamu Burga, Umar Sani, Udom Emmanuel and Emmanuel Enorden.
A communique at the end of the meeting said the NEC also ratified the dissolution of the State Executive Committees in Bauchi, Oyo, Zamfara, Yobe, Lagos, Edo, and Ekiti States.
The communique said the memo for their expulsion was presented by Acting National Chairman Abdulrahman, adding that they were sanctioned because of their disregard for court judgments.
