Politics
Tension At PDP Headquarters As Pro-Wike Faction Takes Over Secretariat After Appointing Chairman Abdulrahman
This development comes amid a deepening internal crisis that has split the main opposition party into rival camps loyal to Wike and those aligned with key party leaders opposing his growing influence.
There is tension at Wadata Plaza, the national headquarters of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Abuja, following moves by a faction loyal to Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike, to take over control of the party’s national secretariat.
The Wike-backed faction on Monday announced the appointment of Muhammed Abdulrahman Mohammed as the Acting National Chairman of the party, in what appears to be a direct challenge to the authority of the Umar Damagum-led National Working Committee (NWC).
This development comes amid a deepening internal crisis that has split the main opposition party into rival camps loyal to Wike and those aligned with key party leaders opposing his growing influence.
Meanwhile, the Damagum-led NWC had earlier suspended National Secretary, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, and several other officials perceived to be loyal to Wike.
But in a swift retaliatory move, the Wike faction announced the suspension of Damagum and some top members of the NWC, naming Abdulrahman Mohammed as acting chairman.
Addressing journalists at the PDP’s FCT office, Abdulrahman Mohammed accused the party’s leadership of derailing from its founding vision and vowed to reposition the opposition party.
“We are all aware of the current pitiable state of our glorious party because of the actions and inactions of our leaders and members,” he said.
“From being the ruling party for 16 uninterrupted years to being an opposition party for over 10 years now at the national level, from being a formidable opposition to a now humbled opposition owing to the unexplainable, unconscionable defections of Governors, Legislators and Council Chairmen, et al.”
Mohammed said he accepted the position of acting chairman “through the mercy of God and the instrumentality of very critical stakeholders of this party,” pledging to “heal the party’s wounds, end factionalisation, and make the PDP law-abiding again.”
Shortly after the briefing, Mohammed and his supporters reportedly moved into the PDP national secretariat to address loyalists and assert control.
However, supporters of Umar Damagum also gathered at the complex, prompting security agencies to deploy heavily armed personnel to forestall a possible clash.
At least 10 Hilux vans loaded with police operatives stationed around the Wadata Plaza premises were observed as tensions continued to mount, according to Daily Trust.
The PDP crisis, which has simmered since the 2023 general elections, has now escalated into an open power struggle between the pro-Wike bloc and the mainstream party leadership, threatening to paralyse the opposition’s preparations ahead of the 2027 elections.
Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike, on Friday declared that he’s still a member of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.
Wike’s comment followed his expulsion from the party by the faction led by National Chairman, Kabiru Turaki.
Turaki had formally dispatched expulsion certificates to 11 prominent party chieftains, including Wike, former Ekiti State governor, Ayodele Fayose, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, Umaru Bature, Kamarudeen Ajibade, SAN, Abdurahman Muhammad Senator Mao Ohuabunwa.
He said their expulsion was aimed at sanitising the party ahead of the 2027 elections.
Reacting to the development on Friday, Wike dismissed the claim while assuring that he would continue to work with other party members in making PDP a relevant opposition party.
The minister spoke while addressing journalists after inspecting the Interchange bridge and road linking Gwarinpa with Jahi and direct to Katampe, Gishiri and Maitama.
He said, “Those that are factionalized are bound to leave the party, I’m still in PDP and you can see that not everybody has left.
“We still have good numbers and we will continue to work together and that’s what I have said to the party. Put your house in order because at the end of the day, if you don’t put your house in order, it’s the party that is losing.
“So those who are worried, we can work together to see how the party can remain a relevant opposition.”
The governments of Abia and Imo States have announced the launching of a joint security taskforce and surveillance along the Aba-Owerri expressway, starting from Owerrinta in Abia State all the way to Owerri, Imo State.
The launch followed recent attacks by criminals on the expressway, including kidnapping, armed robbery and other criminal activities.
The formation of the joint security taskforce and surveillance was announced by Ferdinand Ekeoma, the Special Adviser to Governor Alex Otti on Media and Publicity.
His statement read in part: “Arising from a strategic emergency security meeting held today, 4th December, 2025, by the Governors of Abia and Imo Sates at the Imo State Government Owerri House, His Excellency Governor Alex Otti and His Excellency Senator Hope Uzodinma resolved to set up a joint security Taskforce that shall consist of Soldiers, Naval Personnel, Police Officers , DSS Personnel, and other Government Security Agencies.
“The joint security Taskforce shall, starting from tomorrow 5th December 2025, patrol the road 24 hours nonstop, while carrying out massive surveillance in the surrounding bushes using sophisticated drones and other modern security equipment.”
According to the statement, Governor Alex Otti commended the Governor of Imo State for arresting the criminals who carried out an attack on His advanced team and other passengers a few days ago.
“The two Governors, while assuring citizens plying the road on a daily basis and those returning home for Christmas of their safety and security, warn that there would be severe consequences for any criminal caught on the road going forward”, Ekeoma concluded.
President Bola Tinubu has transmitted to the senate two lists of 34 career and 31 non career ambassadors nominees for screening and confirmation.
Prominent names listed as non career ambassadors include Reno Omokri, Femi Fani-Kayode, Gen. Abdulrahman Dambazau, Victor Ikpeazu and Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi.
Also listed as non career ambassadors nominees are Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, Vice Admiral Ete Ibas, Senator Jimoh Ibrahim, Senator Nora Daduut, Fatima Ajimobi, and Senator Ita Enang among others.
The two lists brings to 68 number of persons nominated so far as ambassadors awaiting confirmation by the Senate.
PRESIDENT TINUBU’S TRIBUTE TO CENTENARIAN ALHAJI TANKO YAKASAI
I’m still in PDP – Wike replies Turaki, dismisses expulsion
Boris Johnson Says He Feels “Perfectly Safe” in Nigeria, Praises Imo State’s Progress
-
Business1 year ago
US court acquits Air Peace boss, slams Mayfield $4000 fine
-
Trending1 year agoNYA demands release of ‘abducted’ Imo chairman, preaches good governance
-
Politics1 year agoMexico’s new president causes concern just weeks before the US elections
-
Politics1 year agoPutin invites 20 world leaders
-
Politics1 year agoRussia bans imports of agro-products from Kazakhstan after refusal to join BRICS
-
Entertainment1 year ago
Bobrisky falls ill in police custody, rushed to hospital
-
Entertainment1 year ago
Bobrisky transferred from Immigration to FCID, spends night behind bars
-
Education1 year ago
GOVERNOR FUBARA APPOINTS COUNCIL MEMBERS FOR KEN SARO-WIWA POLYTECHNIC BORI