Tension heightened on Monday at the national headquarters of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Wadata Plaza, Abuja, as supporters of the factional Acting National Chairman, Mohammed Abdulrahman, stormed the complex, demanding the immediate exit of the Umar Damagum-led National Working Committee (NWC).
The protesters, chanting solidarity songs and brandishing placards with inscriptions such as “PDP must be free again” and “Damagum must go”, called for a complete overhaul of the party’s leadership structure, which they accused of mismanaging internal affairs. The demonstration followed last week’s declaration by a faction of the party naming Abdulrahman as Acting National Chairman, after the suspension of National Secretary, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, and Legal Adviser, Kamaldeen Ajibade, for alleged misconduct.
The move deepened existing cracks within the opposition party, already divided along lines loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, and those supporting Damagum. In a swift twist, the Wike-aligned bloc convened separately in Abuja, where it announced the suspension of the Damagum-led NWC, paving the way for Abdulrahman’s emergence as acting leader. Security personnel, including operatives of the Nigeria Police Force and men of the Department of State Services (DSS), were swiftly deployed to the secretariat to avert a possible clash between the rival groups as both camps vied for control of the party’s headquarters.
However, by mid-morning, Abdulrahman’s faction had successfully taken over the National Chairman’s office, signalling a shift of power within the embattled opposition. Addressing journalists shortly after assuming office, Abdulrahman pledged to restore unity and discipline to the party, promising to steer the PDP back to its founding principles.
“Our focus is to heal the divisions that have weakened this great party and to reposition it for victory in the coming elections. We are committed to serving in the collective interest of our members and supporters nationwide,” he said.
