There was heightened security at the national headquarters of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Abuja on Monday as tensions deepened over the leadership crisis rocking the party.
Operatives of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) took positions around Wadata Plaza to forestall any breakdown of law and order as rival factions mobilised supporters to the premises.
Abdulrahman Mohammed, PDP’s vice-chairman for the north central zone, arrived at the secretariat in the morning, declaring himself the acting national chairman.
He was accompanied by a large crowd of loyalists who chanted solidarity songs and demanded the resignation of Umar Damagum, the embattled national chairman.
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However, another group of supporters quickly gathered at the party’s headquarters, insisting that Damagum remain in office and accusing Mohammed’s faction of attempting to destabilise the PDP ahead of the forthcoming national convention.
The two groups were kept apart by security operatives who maintained a tight cordon around the area.
The latest showdown comes amid a wave of suspensions within the party’s top hierarchy.
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BACKGROUND
On Saturday, the national working committee (NWC) of the PDP led by Damagum suspended Samuel Anyanwu, the national secretary; Kamaldeen Ajibade, national legal adviser; Okechukwu Osuoha, deputy legal adviser; and Umaru Bature, national organising secretary, over alleged anti-party activities.
Debo Ologunagba, PDP spokesperson, who announced the suspension during a press conference, said the decision followed an emergency meeting of the NWC in Abuja.
Hours later, Anyanwu’s faction, which has the backing of Nyesom Wike, minister of the federal capital territory (FCT), suspended Damagum, Ologunagba, Taofeek Arapaja, the deputy national vice-chairman (south); Daniel Woyenguikoro, national financial secretary; Sulaiman Kadade, national youth leader; and Setonji Koshoedo, deputy national secretary.
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Anyanwu’s faction subsequently appointed Mohammed as the acting national chairman, claiming that the decision was necessary to restore order and legitimacy within the party’s national leadership.
Meanwhile, security operatives have maintained their presence at the secretariat to prevent further clashes between rival groups, even as efforts by party elders to mediate between the factions are yet to yield results.
