Tension gripped the national headquarters of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Abuja on Tuesday, as former Benue State Governor Samuel Ortom was reportedly escorted out of the PDP National Executive Committee (NEC) Hall during a press briefing led by National Chairman Kabiru Tanimu Turaki, along with Governors Seyi Makinde of Oyo State and Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State.
In a video from the scene, voices could be heard shouting, “Let him out, who is he? This is not your PDP,” as Ortom attempted to enter the hall amid an ongoing power struggle between factions within the party.
According to The Guardian, the incident followed attempts by rival factions to hold parallel meetings at the PDP headquarters in Wadata Plaza.
The National Working Committee, NWC, elected in Ibadan and the faction aligned with the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, had both scheduled separate meetings for the day, leading to a confrontation.
Earlier, members of the pro-Wike faction, led by National Secretary Samuel Anyanwu, arrived at the secretariat, but a fight later broke out, resulting in their reported removal from the premises.
Makinde, Bala Mohammed and newly elected PDP National Chairman, Taminu Turaki, eventually gained access to the NEC hall to conduct their meeting.
Addressing journalists afterward, Turaki alleged that a serving minister led thugs to disrupt activities at the secretariat with the support of security operatives.
He appealed to the international community, particularly U.S. President Donald Trump, to intervene, claiming that democracy in Nigeria was under threat.
Turaki insisted that party loyalists were prepared to defend their mandate, stating that stakeholders and global observers should pay close attention to developments within the PDP.
