- Safiu Kehinde
The ongoing crisis at the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) national headquarters has again another drama unfold as Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, and his Oyo state counterpart, Seyi Makinde, allegedly blocked the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike, from entering into the complex.
Wike, who was last week expelled at the PDP’s National Convention in Ibadan, had reportedly arrived at the Wadata plaza at about 11:15 am amid clash between the Samuel Anyanwu-led faction backed by the Minister and the new leadership of the party led by new National Chairman, Kabiru Turaki.
Mohammed and Makinde, on the other hand, had earlier arrived at the party secretariat at about 10:45 am.
They denied however denied access through the main gates of the secretariat which were pad locked.
This prompted them to access the premises of the party by foot with their motorcades left behind.
Wike on arrival at the secretariat was also denied access as the governors’ motorcade barricaded the entrance to the complex.
However, the minister was able to gain access to the premises when security operatives started firing teargas to disperse party members and others including journalists, and political thugs already within the secretariat.
Ishiaku Sharu, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Operations), FCT command, later came and ordered Gov. Mohammed and his group to leave the party secretariat premises.
Mohammed however said that they would only leave if Wike and every other person also leaves, but went back inside the NWC hall when they were told a meeting was ongoing in the hall.
At the time of filling this report the governors and others are still within the premises of the party, while Wike was yet to come out of his car parked in front of the building.