Calm at Wadata as PDP factions wait for security decision

By Luminous Jannamike

ABUJA — Calm prevailed Monday around the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) national secretariat at Wadata Plaza, Abuja, even as political tension simmered over plans by a faction aligned with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, to reopen the facility after months of closure. Rival blocs are now waiting to see whether security agencies will permit access to the premises.

Samuel Anyanwu, acting national secretary of the Abdulrahman Mohammed–led PDP caretaker committee, had earlier announced that the party’s national headquarters would reopen Monday, citing what his faction described as favourable court rulings and the dismissal of attempts by rival groups to compel the police to reopen the building. The announcement came amid continuing leadership disputes within the party, with opposing factions challenging the legitimacy of the planned reopening.

Police sealed the Wadata Plaza complex in November 2025 after rival factions attempted to hold parallel National Executive Committee meetings at the premises, triggering clashes among supporters and prompting security intervention. Since then, the building has remained shut, becoming the most visible symbol of the party’s internal struggle for administrative control ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Security presence around the complex remained noticeable, although no confrontation had been reported at the time of filing this report, as uncertainty persisted over whether authorities would allow any faction access while related court cases remain pending.

“We have been notified of the intention of some expelled members of our party to either forcibly or in connivance with security forces gain access to and occupy our National Secretariat and other party property,” said Ini Ememobong, National Publicity Secretary of the Kabiru Turaki–led faction.

“We have written to the Inspector General of Police and the Commissioner of Police, FCT Command reminding them that the secretariat is still a res before the Federal High Court, Abuja, and the Court of Appeal. To this end, any attempt to enter and occupy these property will be a resort to self-help and an affront to the time-tested principle of law that parties who have submitted to the jurisdiction of courts should not act in ways that will render nugatory the powers of the Court.

“This statement serves to remind all the dramatis personae, especially the Police Force, which is a party on record in the said matter, that any action taken to grant access to anybody, pending the determination of the suit, is a contempt of the court. We assure that we will deploy all legal means to defend our property from trespass. Responsibility for any injury to persons or damage to property arising therefrom should be placed solely on the aggressors and their security collaborators.”

Farida Umar, a member of the PDP National Executive Committee and Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the same faction, also rejected the planned reopening.

“They (Wike group) do not have any right to take over the secretariat. First, the party has expelled them. Since the matter is still before the Court of Appeal, they have no legal authority to move in or claim the secretariat. Likewise, the police have no right to support or permit any attempt by them to take over the secretariat,” she said.

Leaders of the Wike-aligned bloc, however, insist that recent court pronouncements and recognition by the Independent National Electoral Commission have clarified the question of the party’s legitimate leadership, arguing that the recognised caretaker committee now has the authority to resume operations at the headquarters.

“Ordinarily, if there were ambiguity regarding the leadership question within the PDP, then the police and other related security agencies would have the right to seal the premises. However, as of today, following the declaratory judgment of the Federal High Court, there is now clarity rather than ambiguity. The judge emphatically stated who the legitimate National Working Committee management team is.

“This also aligns with the position of INEC, the sole regulatory body overseeing political parties in Nigeria, which has identified the recognised leadership of the party. Therefore, there should be no doubt and no reason whatsoever for Wadata to be sealed off on the grounds of possible public tension or unrest, because the parties that were previously laying claims have now been clearly informed about who constitutes the leadership of the party. And if the party has a recognised leadership, then it has the right to occupy its office.

“Clearly, I am in support of the plan to reopen it. It should be opened today,” said a source familiar with the faction’s position.

A security source said authorities were primarily focused on preventing any forced entry or confrontation at the facility.

“Security remains tight to prevent anyone from forcing their way in,” the source said.

A party source, however, said political interests were driving the confrontation.

“Honestly, this party cannot simply be destroyed or wiped out; I do not believe anyone has succeeded in destroying it. What we are seeing now is driven by selfish interests. Otherwise, why would anyone try to weaken the opposition using the machinery of government?

“At the end of the day, as we have said before, it all comes down to selfishness. Some people want to become president or impress the president. They know they cannot control everyone, but they want to create the impression that they still hold power, even when they no longer do,” the source said.

FCT Police spokesperson Josephine Adeh said the command had not been formally briefed on any plan to unseal the facility.

“I have limited information about any plans to unseal the PDP secretariat. I have not been officially briefed on the matter,” she said.

Control of the national secretariat is widely seen within party circles as critical because it determines administrative command over correspondence, recognition of executives, coordination of national activities, and operational control of party structures, factors that could significantly shape internal alignments and nomination processes ahead of the 2027 elections.

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