Okay News reports that a fierce power struggle has erupted within Nigeria’s main opposition party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), as loyalists of Nyesom Wike — Nigeria’s current Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and former Governor of Rivers State — took control of the party’s National Secretariat in Abuja on Monday.
The takeover, which occurred at the party’s Wadata Plaza headquarters, threw the PDP into deeper crisis as governors elected on the party’s platform and their allies were conspicuously absent when the Wike-backed faction moved in.
Party insiders told Okay News that the National Chairman, Umar Damagum, who enjoys the support of the PDP Governors’ Forum led by Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed, appeared to have lost grip of the leadership structure following the unexpected siege.
“This is a serious situation we’ve found ourselves in as members of the PDP,” said a senior party member who asked not to be named. “But I can assure you that the governors will do everything to reclaim the party from those who don’t mean well for it.”
The dramatic occupation of the party headquarters reportedly caused chaos within the complex, with some staff assaulted before the police intervened to seal off the premises and prevent further breakdown of order.
Upon assuming control as Acting National Chairman, Abdulrahman Mohammed, a National Vice Chairman from Nigeria’s North Central region backed by Wike, urged for calm. He called on members to unite behind what he described as a “new dawn” for the opposition party.
“We are all aware of the pitiable state of our glorious party,” Mohammed said while addressing supporters at the Secretariat. “From being the ruling party for 16 uninterrupted years, we are now a humbled opposition. I have accepted to become Acting National Chairman through the mercy of God and the instrumentality of stakeholders. My job here is to heal the party and end factionalisation.”
The PDP, which ruled Africa’s largest democracy between 1999 and 2015, has faced a prolonged internal rift over control of regional structures — particularly in Cross River, Akwa Ibom, and Plateau States. Disagreements over zoning arrangements ahead of the forthcoming National Convention in Ibadan, Oyo State, have further worsened tensions.
Adding to the turmoil, a recent ruling by Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court in Abuja temporarily halted the convention. The court restrained the PDP from proceeding with the event until it complies with constitutional provisions and electoral laws.
The court case was initiated by three aggrieved members: Imo State PDP Chairman Austin Nwachukwu, Abia State PDP Chairman Amah Abraham Nnanna, and South-South Zonal Secretary Turnah Alabh George.
In reaction to the ruling and the leadership takeover, the Damagum-led National Working Committee (NWC) suspended several top officials, including National Secretary Senator Samuel Anyanwu, accusing them of anti-party activities. The Wike-backed faction swiftly countered by suspending Damagum himself and other members, citing “financial mismanagement and incompetence.”
By mid-morning Monday, Wike’s faction, supported by several state chairmen and youth leaders, moved from the PDP’s Federal Capital Territory office to Wadata Plaza amid heavy police presence. After a brief standoff, they gained access to the building and declared control.
Mohammed, addressing reporters shortly after, declared, “This is not the time to trade blame. It is time for all of us to unite for the progress of the PDP. Under my leadership, we will ensure every member works together for the good of Nigeria.”
Meanwhile, respected PDP elder Chief Bode George, a former Board of Trustees Chairman, condemned the Federal High Court ruling that halted the convention. He called on the National Judicial Council (NJC) to investigate Justice Omotosho for what he described as “an undue interference in internal party matters.”
“The NJC should investigate and remove Omotosho’s wig so that he can join partisan politics,” George said. “The Supreme Court has ruled before that the internal problems of political parties should be resolved within the party. So what is Justice Omotosho’s business with our convention?”
He also accused Minister Wike of fueling the internal crisis to benefit President Bola Tinubu’s administration ahead of the 2027 elections.
Police later sealed off the PDP headquarters, directing all occupants to vacate the premises pending further investigation.
Despite the turmoil, Acting Chairman Mohammed vowed to “hand over the PDP to its true owners — the Nigerian people” and restore the party’s lost glory.
