- Safiu Kehinde
The Adolphus Wabara-led faction of the Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP) Board of Trustees (BoT) has accused the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike, and expelled National Secretary, Samuel Anyanwu, of invading the party’s national secretariat with armed thugs and compromised security personnel.
This was contained in a statement issued on Wednesday by Wabara, PDP BoT Chairman, hours after the fierce clash between the Anyanwu-led faction backed by Wike and the newly elected members of the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) led by its National Chairman, Kabiru Turaki.
NPO Reported that new National Chairman and other members of the NWC were elected during the party’s National Convention held last week.
The PDP had at the convention expelled Anyanwu and all members of his faction.
Also expelled were Wike and former Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose.
Both factions and their supporters would yesterday engage in a face-off over the control of the Wadata Plaza.
The clash which lasted almost the whole day saw fight breaking out between the Anyanwu faction and Turaki-led side which was also backed by the Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde and his Bauchi counterpart, Bala Mohammed.
Reacting to the development, the Wabara-led PDP BoT condemned what it considered an invasion by expelled elements in an alleged attempt to forcefully take over the party’s secretariat.
Wabara in the statement also accused the Anyanwu faction of mobilizing thugs to prevent the new NWC members alongside Makinde and Bala from gaining access to the secretariat while also subjecting them to harassment and intimidation, especially by Wike.
“The BoT also condemns the action of the expelled elements who moblilised the thugs to attempt to prevent the elected members of the National Working Committee (NWC) led by the new National Chairman, Kabiru Tanimu Turaki, SAN and accompanied by the Governor of Bauchi State and Chairman of PDP Governors’ Forum, Senator Bala Mohammed, his Oyo State counterpart, Engr. Seyi Makinde and other party leaders from gaining access into the complex.
“Tear gas was fired at the governors and party leaders while the thugs unbridled violence on the PDP National Secretariat.
“The BoT notes with dismay the involvement of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Abuja, Barr. Nyesom Wike, (also expelled from the party), who came to the scene with heavy security in apparent solidarity with the invaders.” The statement partly read.
While lauding the courage and resilience of Makinde, Bala, and members of the new NWC and the faction’s supporters, Wabara reiterated that the Turaki-led faction remains the only recognised national leadership of the party.
The BoT Chairman maintained that the convention where they were elected was convened in strict compliance with the Party’s Constitution, and Guidelines, the Electoral Act, all extant regulations.
“The Board salutes the courage and resilience of the Governors, NWC and BoT members, other party leaders, teeming members and supporters for resisting the invaders.
“The BoT stands firmly with the new NWC in full endorsement of the outcome of the Elective National Convention held in Ibadan, Oyo State on the 15th and 16th of November 2025.
“The Convention was convened in strict compliance with the Party’s Constitution, and Guidelines, the Electoral Act, all extant regulations, and it represents the collective will of delegates and stakeholders of the PDP across the country.” He wrote.
Wabara further noted the PDP BoT’s denouncement of every communications emanating from the Anyanwu-led faction.
He called on the Insepctor General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, to investigate the clash the Wadata Plaza while urging the new NWC not to be deterred.
“The BoT therefore strongly denounces the statements, actions and media pronouncements by individuals who were lawfully expelled from the party.
“Their attempts to undermine the legitimacy of the Ibadan Convention and create confusion within the party structure are not only mischievous but also constitute a direct assault on the principle of internal democracy in our country.
“The BoT calls on the Inspector-General of Police to investigate the wave of attacks on the PDP National Secretariat and ensure that those responsible are held to account.
“Democracy thrives only where institutions remain impartial, professional, and insulated from partisan manipulation.
“As the conscience of the party, the BoT remains committed to safeguarding the unity and democratic values of the PDP and ensuring that the mandate freely given by party members at the Ibadan Convention is respected.
“The Board therefore urges the new NWC not to be deterred but remain focused on rebuilding and repositioning our Party as we march to victory in the 2027 general elections.” The BoT Chairman added.