On Monday, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) faced an unexpected hurdle when the police reportedly sealed its national secretariat in Abuja, disrupting a planned Board of Trustees (BoT) meeting. Unable to access their headquarters, PDP leaders were compelled to shift their meeting to the Yar’Adua Centre located in Abuja’s Central Business District.
The police defended their presence at the secretariat, stating that their deployment was necessary to maintain law and order. However, this explanation has done little to quell the uproar from within the PDP and the wider Nigerian public.
Dele Momodu, a senior PDP figure, condemned the police action as an abuse of federal power, accusing unidentified “bullies” of orchestrating the blockade. He took to social media to express his frustration: “This is not how to use federal might… PDP has the right to hold its meetings peacefully… But some bullies don’t want that… Allah akbar.”
The incident has further exposed divisions within the PDP, with some members pointing fingers at the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike. Braide Tammy called for Wike’s expulsion, blaming him for the party’s current predicament. “PDP has allowed the interest of few persons to rubbish itself. Why are they afraid to expel the likes of Wike? Na their papa get the party,” Tammy wrote.
Political commentator Olajide Balogun interpreted the relocation of the BoT meeting as indicative of factional struggles: “BOT is anti-Wike & Pro-Atiku—change of venue, to Yar’dua centre is quite instructive.” Balogun also referenced President Bola Tinubu’s recent statement at the National Assembly, where the president remarked on the opposition’s disarray: “It is indeed a great pleasure to see you in disarray.”
In response, Chinaka Ugwu defended Wike, suggesting that the party’s leadership as a whole bears responsibility. “What has Wike got to do with obeying Supreme Court ruling? Was Wike the one who announced there will be no NEC meeting but expanded caucus meeting today?” Ugwu asked.
Social media reactions have been equally stark, with some users predicting a bleak future for the PDP. One such user, Onoriode, described the party as “A sinking ship soon to be found at the bottom of the sea.”
The police’s intervention at the PDP secretariat has thus intensified existing tensions within the party, raising questions about the future cohesion and direction of Nigeria’s main opposition party.
Version 3: Controversy Erupts as Police Seal PDP National Secretariat, Party Leaders Forced to Relocate Meeting
In a development that has stirred political controversy, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) national secretariat in Abuja was reportedly sealed off by police on Monday. The police action prevented PDP leaders from holding their scheduled Board of Trustees (BoT) meeting at the secretariat, compelling them to relocate the meeting to the Yar’Adua Centre in Abuja’s Central Business District.
The police justified their deployment as a measure to maintain law and order. Nevertheless, the move has sparked intense criticism from PDP members and political commentators, who view it as an infringement on the party’s rights.
Dele Momodu, a prominent PDP leader, accused unidentified “bullies” of masterminding the police blockade. On social media, Momodu lamented, “This is not how to use federal might… PDP has the right to hold its meetings peacefully… But some bullies don’t want that… Allah akbar.”
The incident has also intensified calls within the PDP for disciplinary action against certain party members. Braide Tammy, for instance, called for the expulsion of the Federal Capital Territory Minister, Nyesom Wike, who many suspect to be behind the police action. Tammy criticized the party’s leadership for allowing internal interests to undermine the PDP, stating, “PDP has allowed the interest of few persons to rubbish itself. Why are they afraid to expel the likes of Wike? Na their papa get the party.”
Political analyst Olajide Balogun highlighted the factional nature of the crisis, noting, “BOT is anti-Wike & Pro-Atiku—change of venue, to Yar’dua centre is quite instructive.” Balogun also cited President Bola Tinubu’s remarks at the National Assembly on June 12, where the president expressed satisfaction at witnessing the opposition’s confusion: “It is indeed a great pleasure to see you in disarray.”
Defending Wike, Chinaka Ugwu argued that the party’s troubles are collective and not solely attributable to the minister. “What has Wike got to do with obeying Supreme Court ruling? Was Wike the one who announced there will be no NEC meeting but expanded caucus meeting today?” Ugwu questioned.
Meanwhile, social media commentary has been largely critical of the PDP’s state, with one user, Onoriode, describing the party as “A sinking ship soon to be found at the bottom of the sea.”
As the PDP grapples with internal divisions and external pressures, the police’s involvement in sealing the party secretariat marks a significant flashpoint in Nigeria’s political discourse.
