Calm prevailed on Monday at the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) national secretariat, Wadata Plaza, Abuja, amid lingering tension over plans by a faction aligned with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, to reopen the facility after months of closure.
Security operatives maintained a visible presence around the complex as rival factions awaited the position of security agencies on whether access would be granted, following ongoing legal disputes over the party’s leadership.
Samuel Anyanwu, acting national secretary of the Abdulrahman Mohammed–led PDP caretaker committee, had earlier announced that the national headquarters would reopen on Monday, citing favourable court rulings and the dismissal of attempts by rival factions to compel the police to keep the premises sealed.
However, the move was strongly opposed by another faction of the party, which warned that reopening the secretariat while related cases remain before the courts would amount to self-help and contempt of court.
Police sealed Wadata Plaza in November 2025 after rival PDP factions attempted to hold parallel National Executive Committee meetings at the premises, leading to clashes among supporters and prompting security intervention. Since then, the closure has become a symbol of the party’s deepening internal crisis ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Ini Ememobong, National Publicity Secretary of the Kabiru Turaki–led faction, said the group had written to the Inspector General of Police and the FCT Commissioner of Police, warning against granting access to any faction while the matter is still before the Federal High Court and the Court of Appeal.
He stressed that any attempt to occupy the secretariat pending the determination of the suits would be illegal and could trigger unrest.
Similarly, PDP National Executive Committee member and Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the same faction, Farida Umar, rejected the planned reopening, insisting that the Wike-aligned group lacks the legal authority to take over the secretariat, especially as the dispute remains before the appellate court.
Leaders of the Wike-aligned bloc, however, argued that recent court pronouncements and recognition by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) have clarified the party’s leadership question, giving the recognised caretaker committee the right to resume operations at the headquarters.
According to a source familiar with the faction’s position, the Federal High Court’s declaratory judgment and INEC’s recognition remove any ambiguity over leadership, making continued sealing of the secretariat unnecessary.
A security source said authorities were focused on preventing any forced entry or confrontation at the facility, noting that no faction would be allowed to breach the peace.
Meanwhile, FCT Police spokesperson, Josephine Adeh, said the command had not been officially briefed on any plan to unseal the PDP secretariat.
Control of the national secretariat is widely regarded as crucial within the PDP, as it determines administrative authority, recognition of party executives, coordination of national activities, and influence over nomination processes ahead of the 2027 elections.
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