Turaki Faction Kicks after Wike’s Camp Takes over PDP Secretariat

The crisis rocking the Peoples Democratic Party took a different dimension on Saturday when the faction of the party led by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, took over the control of the PDP national secretariat in Abuja after the police reopened it.

The PDP has been embroiled in a lingering internal crisis that culminated in a breakdown of order at its National Headquarters, Wadata Plaza, Abuja, on November 18, 2025, when a faction of the National Working Committee led by Turaki (SAN), and supported by Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde and Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed, clashed with the rival Abdulrahman Mohammed-led faction aligned with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.

After months of legal tussles, the Court of Appeal, on March 9, ruled in favour of the Wike-backed camp, invalidating the November 16 Ibadan convention endorsed by the governors.

About five months later, the Mohammed-led PDP faction, aligned with Wike, announced on Saturday that the police had unsealed both the Wadata Plaza and Legacy House national offices of the party in Abuja.

But irked by the action of the PDP faction, the Kabiru Taminu Turaki-led faction of the PDP, described the takeover of the secretariat based on a court order on a matter as a disposition of national institutions to bias.

Confirming the development in a statement on Saturday, the National Working Committee, led by Abdulrahman Mohammed, through its National Publicity Secretary, Jungudo Mohammed, warned that it would not tolerate any action capable of causing obstruction, disruption, or breach of peace at the secretariat.

The PDP has been engulfed in a prolonged internal crisis, which escalated into a breakdown of law and order at its national headquarters, Wadata Plaza, Abuja, on November 18, when a faction of the National Working Committee led by Tanimu Turaki (SAN) and backed by Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, and Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, clashed with the Wike-aligned Mohammed-led faction.

In its reaction, the Mohammed-led PDP commended the Nigeria Police Force for what it described as professionalism and commitment to the rule of law, noting that the move reflects respect for constitutional order and due process.

The statement read in part, “The National Working Committee of the Peoples Democratic Party hereby informs all members and the general public that the party’s National Secretariat, Wadata Plaza, as well as the Legacy House, Maitama, have been unsealed by the Nigeria Police Force and handed over to the National Chairman, Hon. Abdulrahman Mohammed Takushara, and Senator Samuel Anyanwu, National Secretary, in full compliance with duly issued court orders.

“The party commends the Nigeria Police Force for its professionalism and adherence to the rule of law. This action is a clear demonstration of respect for constitutional order and due process.

“The party strongly warns that it will not condone any act capable of causing obstruction, disruption, or breach of peace at the secretariat again. All individuals and groups are advised to conduct themselves within the bounds of the law, as security agencies have been duly alerted to take necessary action against violators.

“This positive development reassures members that the recent challenges confronting the party have been effectively resolved. We therefore call on all aggrieved members to sheath their swords and embrace unity in the collective interest of the party.”

The Mohammed-led NWC also praised Wike for his leadership and guidance.

It stated, “The party also expresses its profound appreciation to our leaders and stakeholders for their steadfast support during this period. In particular, we acknowledge the guidance and commitment of our national leader, His Excellency, Chief (Barr.) Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, whose support has been invaluable.

“Together, we move forward, stronger, united, and more committed to our shared vision.”

PDP faction alleges bias

Reacting, the spokesperson for the Turaki-led faction of the Peoples Democratic Party, Ini Ememobong, accused national institutions of acting in a partisan manner amid the dispute over access to the party secretariat.

Speaking in an interview with Sunday PUNCH, Ememobong criticised reliance on a court judgment which he said had already been appealed, describing the development as evidence of “the continuous reckless disposition of national institutions and their partisan nature.”

He said both factions were laying claim to the secretariat without a valid subsisting order, noting that although a court granted access to one side, the decision had been challenged.

“Now, a judge grants an order granting access to the secretariat. That order has been appealed, and the police duly served the appeal. It is another addition in the series of partisan use of their discretion,” Ememobong said.

The PDP chieftain maintained that his faction remained law-abiding despite the tensions.

“We are law-abiding. We will continue to be law-abiding,” he stated.

Ememobong further alleged widespread institutional bias, saying, “There is no national institution that has not been weaponised along party lines, including the judiciary itself.”

He, however, expressed cautious optimism, urging opposition members not to lose faith in the country.

“All hope is not lost. An institution can be tempted, but it does not mean there are no good people or others who may have a change of mind. The opposition cannot lose faith in Nigeria. If we do, we will be playing into the gimmicks of the ruling All Progressives Congress,” Ememobong added.

He also accused unnamed actors of acting with impunity and alleged an alliance with the APC, further deepening concerns over neutrality in the ongoing political dispute.

In a statement issued on Saturday, Ememobong condemned the Nigeria Police Force over the unsealing of the party’s secretariat, alleging partisan interference and violation of due process.

The Turaki-led PDP described the development as highly shameful, accusing the police—who are constitutionally tasked with upholding the law—of acting in violation of it.

The statement read in part, “We are aware that the Nigeria Police Force has unsealed the National Secretariat of our party and aided its takeover and occupation by the agents of the federal government and APC apologists, masquerading as PDP members, despite a pending appeal.

“It is on record that the judgment by Justice Abdulmalik that the police force is allegedly acting under has been appealed, and the police, as a party in that matter, is fully aware and has been served. By their action, they have tampered with the res and that can render the judgment of the Court of Appeal nugatory, when it is eventually given. It is most shameful that those entrusted with protecting the law are those disobeying the law.

“While it is not surprising that the Police is acting in a clearly partisan manner, we were hopeful that they would act differently under the command of the new Inspector General of Police. From the inception of this imbroglio, the officers of the police force have consistently acted in a manner that leaves no one in doubt as to their support for the Wike-backed APC apologists and have continued to double down on their partisan interventions.

“As law-abiding citizens, we admonish our members to continue to maintain peace and not undertake any activity capable of breaching public peace, while we promise to take all necessary steps within the ambit of the law to protect the rights and privileges of the genuine members of the Peoples Democratic Party.”

The PDP faction backed by the governors expressed confidence that the matter would soon be resolved in their favour.

It continued, “The public should be assured that we are hopeful that soon this dark cloud of state-sponsored persecution and one-party compulsory drive will end and true democratic experience will return, in the interest of preserving the republic.

“Though pains may tarry in the night, joy and liberation will certainly come in the morning. Let us therefore bear this night with the hope that surely the morning is en route.”