A protest broke out on Monday at the national secretariat of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Wadata Plaza, Abuja, as supporters of the factional acting National Chairman, Mohammed Abdulrahman, stormed the building demanding the immediate exit of the Umar Damagum-led National Working Committee (NWC).
The protesters, chanting solidarity songs, accused the Damagum-led leadership of mismanaging the affairs of the opposition party and vowed to reclaim control of the secretariat on behalf of the Abdulrahman faction.
This development comes amid deepening leadership turmoil within the PDP, following the suspension of the party’s National Secretary, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, and National Legal Adviser, Kamaldeen Ajibade, for one month.
Last week, a faction of the party announced Abdulrahman as acting National Chairman, further widening the rift within the PDP. In a counter move, loyalists of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, met at a separate venue in Abuja and declared the suspension of the Damagum-led NWC.
The tension reached a peak on Monday as security operatives were deployed around the PDP national secretariat to prevent a possible breakdown of law and order while both factions struggled for control of the party’s headquarters.
Meanwhile, members of the Abdulrahman-led faction have reportedly taken control of the National Chairman’s office inside the complex.
Speaking to journalists after taking possession of the office, Mohammed Abdulrahman pledged to unite members of the party and reposition the PDP ahead of the next general elections.
“We are ready to work in the interest of our dear party,” Abdulrahman said, assuring party faithful of his commitment to restore internal unity and discipline.
The leadership crisis within the PDP has continued to polarize the party, raising concerns about its preparedness for future elections and its role as Nigeria’s main opposition platform.
Comments