Supporters loyal to the Nyesom Wike–aligned faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Tuesday occupied the surroundings of Wadata Plaza, the party’s national secretariat in Wuse Zone 5, Abuja.
The protesters, made up largely of women and youth groups, brandished placards calling for the removal of the PDP National Chairman, Tanimu Turaki, SAN. Messages such as “No to Turaki” and “Turaki Must Go” were prominently displayed.
Turaki, a former Minister of Special Duties and Inter-Governmental Affairs, emerged as National Chairman during the party’s convention in Ibadan on Saturday — a gathering the Wike faction boycotted and later described as invalid.
Both the Turaki leadership and the Wike bloc had issued separate notices for executive meetings at the secretariat on Tuesday, heightening tension within the party.
By 9:45 a.m., the Wike faction had taken control of the premises and its adjoining streets. The group, led by the suspended Acting National Chairman, Abdulrahman Mohammed, moved into the compound with a heavy police escort.
Security operatives took up strategic positions around Wadata Plaza, creating multiple layers of protection to avert clashes.
At press time, no member of the Turaki-led leadership had shown up at the secretariat, while demonstrators linked to the Wike camp maintained their hold on the area.
