In the midst of a leadership struggle between opposing factions of the party, violence broke out at the Peoples Democratic Party National Secretariat in Wadata Plaza, Abuja, on Tuesday, causing police to use tear gas to scatter supporters.
Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State, Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State, and the faction headed by Kabiru Turaki, the recently elected PDP National Chairman, came at the party headquarters, causing turmoil, according to Channels Television.
Police and supporters of Senator Samuel Anyanwu’s group clashed with them when they arrived, trying to prevent them from entering.
Tear gas was used in the area to maintain order after a confrontation between security personnel loyal to Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike and the two governors for control of the PDP National Secretariat.
Nyesom Wike stayed with the party’s troubled national secretary, Samuel Anyanwu, while Makinde entered the site with newly elected National Secretary Taofeek Arapaja.
Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, also came at Wadata Plaza, but he did not get out of his car for about thirty minutes.
Later, Makinde and Mohammed gave reporters an update on the tense situation, describing the police use of tear gas and the opposition they faced from Samuel Anyanwu faction supporters.
In order to bring peace back to the PDP secretariat, the police later issued an order for all party members and supporters to leave.
More to follow.
