Tension is expected to heighten at the National Secretariat of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, today as two opposing factions prepare to hold separate meetings at the same venue.
The clash stems from a renewed power tussle between the faction led by the newly elected National Chairman, Dr. Kabiru Tanimu Turaki, and expelled members loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.
On Monday, the Wike-aligned group — recently expelled from the party — announced an emergency meeting scheduled to take place at the National Executive Council (NEC) Hall inside Wadata Plaza.
Their factional National Secretary, Samuel Anyanwu, made the announcement barely 48 hours after their expulsion was made public.
But in a swift and dramatic response, Turaki, who emerged as National Chairman at the party’s National Elective Convention held in Ibadan, also unveiled plans for an inaugural NEC meeting in the same hall at the same time.
Addressing journalists shortly after submitting a petition against the expelled members at the Nigeria Police Force Headquarters in Garki, Turaki insisted that the legitimate leadership of the party would proceed with its meeting as scheduled.
According to him, “the party will hold its inaugural National Executive meeting tomorrow, November 18, at the party’s national secretariat, Wadata Plaza, Abuja.”
He declared that “nothing will stop him and his colleagues from meeting tomorrow at the office.”
With both factions refusing to back down, concerns are rising within party circles over a possible confrontation as the PDP’s internal crisis deepens.
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