The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Wadata Plaza headquarters out of where three leaders came – President Olusegun Obasanjo, President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua and President Goodluck Jonathan – during the sixteen years of PDP government became a shadow of its old self yesterday.
The police sent out all workers in the secretariat and sealed it off with barbed wire.
This followed Tuesday’s clash by factions of the party’s leaders during which security men fired teargas to prevent a total breakdown of law and order.
Governors, along with ordinary folks scampered for safety in what was the height of the lingering crisis, which culminated from weekend’s controversial convention in Ibadan.
Despite the sealing off, policemen were stationed around the secretariat in Zone 5 of Wuse Area of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
The Ibadan convention, boycotted by the Wike/Anyanwu faction on the strength of judgments stopping it, expelled the Minister of Federal Capital Territory Nyesom Wike, National Secretary Samuel Anyanwu and others.
It also produced Taminu Turaki, SAN, as national chairman.
The Wike/Anyanwu faction led by Mohammed Abdulrahaman and the Turaki faction clashed over control of the secretariat on Tuesday.
The Abdulrahaman faction pronounced Governor Seyi Makinde (Oyo), Bala Mohammed (Bauch) and Dauda Lawal (Zamfara) expelled from the party in retaliation.
INEC rejects
Abdulrahamam’s/Anyanwu’s letter
on Ekiti Primary
It was learnt yesterday that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has not given Abdulrahaman recognition as acting chairman.
The tenure of the NWC, led by outgoing National Chairman Ambassador Umar Damagum, is expected to expire on December 8.
The electoral agency rejected a letter signed by the Acting Chairman, saying that it failed to meet the requirements of the law.
Abdulrahaman and the National Secretary, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, had written to the commission seeking to postpone the Ekiti State PDP Governorship Primary due to what they called logistics reasons.
The letter dated November 6, titled: “Postponement of PDP Ekiti State Congress/Governorship Primary,” said a new date would be communicated to the commission.
It reads: “The above subject matter refers. We wish to inform you that the PDP Ekiti State Congress and Governorship Primary stated for November 8, 2025 has been postponed due to logistics reasons constraining this exercise.
Kindly refer to our earlier letter to the commission on this subject matter. Please accept the assurances of my esteemed regards.”
The primary, which was conducted on October 18, threw up Dr. Wole Oluyede as candidate.
He polled 279 votes to defeat Funso Ayeni who scored 239 votes and Funmilayo Ogun who got 17 votes.
In a letter to the National Secretary, with reference number INEC/DEPM/PDF/286/94 and dated November 10, the request for postponement was rejected.
The INEC letter was signed by the Secretary to the Commission, Mrs Rose Oriaran Anthony. It was titled: “Re-resolution of the PDP NWC meeting and postponement of Ekiti State Congress/ Governorship Primary”.
It reads: “Your letter on the above subject refers. The Commission draws your attention that the notice is not in compliance with the requirement of part 2(12)3 of the Regulations and guidelines for Political Parties, 2022, that provides “the National Chairman and National Secretary of the Party shall jointly sign the notice of convention, congress, conference of meeting and submit same to the Commission,” Be guided.
“The commission hereby inform you that it has rejected your submission for noncompliance with the requirements of the Electoral Act.”
Lagos State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has expressed concern about the disturbing signals emanating from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) National Convention – an event that laid bare the party’s internal disintegration and its reckless determination to drag the judiciary into avoidable disrepute.
Spokesman Seye Oladejo said in a statement in Ogba: ‘’In a democracy still refining its institutional identity, PDP has chosen the dangerous path of judicial manipulation, contempt for due process and a brazen mockery of the rule of law.’’
He said particularly alarming was the spectacle of conflicting rulings from the Federal High Court in Abuja and Oyo State High Court in Ibadan, each conveniently cited by rival factions of the party to justify a pre-planned chaos.
Oladejo added that such contradictory judicial pronouncements – circulated and manipulated like campaign leaflets – risked ‘’bringing our judiciary into global ridicule.’’
He said: ‘’Even worse, the PDP has now normalised the dangerous practice of choosing which court order to obey and which to discard, depending on which faction benefits.
‘’A party that shamelessly cherry-picks which order to obey is certainly not practising democracy. It is practising confusion, lawlessness and transactional opportunism.
‘’If this pathway is not corrected, a new and disastrous precedent will be entrenched – where litigants procure judgments from the comfort of their bedrooms, turning the courts into political convenience stores, instead of sanctuaries of justice.’’
Oladejo said Lagos APC trusted that the National Judicial Council (NJC) would not remain silent, noting that democracy demanded clarity and Nigerians expected decisive action.
He said the refusal of Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to monitor the PDP’s chaotic event stood as an unmistakable verdict.
‘’The purported convention lacks legality, coherence and legitimacy. It confirms the obvious – that the PDP is now a shadow of its former self.
‘’Rather than rebuild through internal order and democratic ethics, the PDP has perfected the art of turning every known principle of democracy upside down. A once-dominant party has reduced itself to a laboratory of confusion,’’ the Lagos APC spokesman further said.
According to him, ‘’the judiciary is the last hope of the common man. Any party that abuses it, ridicules it, or selectively obeys it is a direct threat to national stability and democratic survival.’’
Oladejo said as a responsible governing party, the APC remained committed to strengthening institutions, ensuring respect for lawful processes and protecting democracy from those who sought power through shortcuts and judicial theatrics.
He noted that the events surrounding the PDP’s failed convention were more than an embarrassment – they were a warning.
‘’A party that shops for court rulings like foodstuffs at Dugbe Market cannot lecture the nation on democracy.
‘’A party that selectively obeys court orders is unfit for leadership and a party that turns justice into a political marketplace is marching boldly toward self-inflicted extinction,’’ the statement said.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has rejected a correspondence signed by the acting chairman of the Samuel Anyanwu faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), saying it failed to meet the requirements of the law.
Abdulrahaman Mohammed and Senator Samuel Anyanwu had written to the commission seeking to postpone the Ekiti Governorship primaries due to what they called logistical reasons.
The letter dated November 06, 2025, titled “postponement of PDP Ekiti state Congress/Governorship primary,” said a new date will be communicated to the commission.
It reads, “The above subject matter refers. We wish to inform you that the PDP Ekiti State Congress and Governorship primary scheduled for November 8, 2025, has been postponed due to logistical reasons constraining this exercise.
“Kindly refer to our earlier letter to the commission on this subject matter. Please accept the assurances of my esteemed regards.”
The Ekiti Governorship Primary was conducted by the party on the 8th of November, 2025, with Dr. Wole Oluyede emerging winner, having polled 279 votes to defeat Funso Agent, who scored 239 votes, and Funmilayo Ogun, who scored 17 votes.
In a letter addressed to the National Secretary of the party with reference number INEC/DEPM/PDF/286/94 and dated November 10, 2025, the said emphatically that the request was rejected.
The letter from INEC was signed by the Secretary to the Commission, Mrs Rose Oriaran Anthony, titled “re-resolution of the PDP NWC meeting and postponement of Ekiti state Congress abs governorship primary”.
It reads, “Your Letter on the above subject refers. The Commission draws your attention that the notice is not in compliance with the requirement of part 2(12)3 of the Regulations and guidelines for Political Parties, 2022, which provides “the National Chairman and National Secretary of the Party shall jointly sign the notice of convention, congress, conference or meeting and submit the same to the Commission.” Be guided.
“The commission hereby informs you that it has rejected your submission for non-compliance with the requirements of the Electoral Act. Thank you”.
The INEC letter invalidates the position of Abdulrahaman Mohammed as acting national chairman of the party
Scores of members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ondo State have defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC), pledging their support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s 2027 re-election bid.
The defectors, who are grassroots mobilisers drawn from the 18 local governments, said they could no longer remain in the “crisis-ridden” PDP with what they described as a weakened leadership structure.
The PDP defectors, who are also members of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), attributed their switch to APC to President Tinubu’s economic reforms and ongoing infrastructural projects across the state.
Speaking on behalf of the defectors under the banner of Asiwaju Transport Movement yesterday, Mr. Ojo Adewole hailed President Tinubu for what he called the restoration of the country’s “lost glory” through the Renewed Hope Agenda.
He cited several federal road projects – including the dualisation of Benin-Ilesa Expressway, Ore-Ondo Akure Road expansion, Akure-Ado-Ekiti Expressway and the ongoing coastal highway – as major factors that influenced their decision.
“We were encouraged to join the APC by our Minister, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo. We thank him for the opportunity given to us, and we will not disappoint him or the party,” he said.
He added that the continuation of road projects initiated during the administration of the late President Muhammadu Buhari convinced them that President Tinubu was committed to national development.
Adewole also recalled that the only PDP federal lawmaker from Ondo State, Festus Akingbaso, and the three remaining PDP members in the state House of Assembly recently defected to the APC – a development he said had left the state “virtually a one-party system.”
Receiving the defectors at the APC Secretariat in Akure, the state Chairman of the party, Ade Adetimehin, welcomed them and urged them to mobilise support for a landslide victory for President Tinubu in 2027.
“This is the party of victory. In the APC, we don’t discriminate -there are no old members or new members; we are all equal,’’ Adetimehin said.
He noted that the performance of President Tinubu had continued to draw more supporters into the ruling party.
“President Tinubu has done well for us in this state. We can all see what he is doing. His Renewed Hope Initiatives are favouring us.
“Work has begun on new road projects in Ondo State, and our people are being given appointments. So, we must work hard to give him a landslide victory here,” he added.
The battle for the control of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) shifted from the convention ground in Ibadan to the Wadata Plaza in Abuja yesterday.
The two factions clashed over control of the party’s national headquarters.
Trouble started at the secretariat when the two factions, led by the National Chairman, Kabiru Tanimu Turaki, and Acting National Chairman Abdulrahman Mohammed, decided to hold their meetings.
At about 8 am, members of the Wike/Mohammed faction, including the National Secretary, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, and the faction’s Board of Trustees (BoT) Chairman, Sam Ohuabunwa, arrived at the Secretariat for their National Executive Committee (NEC) and Board of Trustees (BoT) meetings.
Two hours later, Turaki, who was elected as National Chairman at the weekend’s National Convention in Ibadan, Oyo State capital, led his faction to the premises for their inaugural National Working Committee (NWC) meeting.
During the convention, the faction expelled 11 chieftains, including Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister Nyesom Wike, Anyanwu, former Ekiti State Governor Ayodele Fayose and National Organising Secretary Umar Bature.
With Turaki were three governors – Seyi Makinde (Oyo State), Bala Mohammed (Bauchi), Dauda Lawal (Zamfara), and Deputy National Chairman, Taofeek Arapaja.
Tension rose as the Turaki group, which was initially prevented from gaining access to the Secretariat by the police, forced their way into the NEC Hall where the factional BoT was meeting.
To forestall chaos, the police fired tear gas to disperse supporters of the factions who showed up in solidarity.
While attempting to leave the Secretariat, Turaki and the governors were informed that the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike, was on his way, forcing them to stay back.
After the gates were opened for Wike, the Bauchi governor told the Deputy Commissioner of Police, who led the police team, that they would only leave the secretariat if Wike left.
But Wike, who did not step out of his vehicle, remained at the secretariat.
Turaki, who announced that he had come to take over the secretariat, lamented the disruption by the other faction.
He urged United States President Donald Trump to intervene in the PDP crisis to save democracy in Nigeria.
Faction expels governors
After the factional NEC meeting, Anyanwu announced the expulsion of Makinde, Bala Mohammed and Lawal from the party.
Also expelled are the BoT Chairman, Senator Adolphus Wabara, Turaki, Arapaja, former Deputy National Chairman, Chief Bode George, Senator Ben Obi, Setonji Koshoedo, Okechukwu Obiechina Daniel, Woyengikuro Daniel, Mohammed Kadade Suleiman, Emmanuel Ogidi, Sumaila Adamu Burga, Umar Sani, Udom Emmanuel and Emmanuel Enorden.
A communique at the end of the meeting said the NEC also ratified the dissolution of the State Executive Committees in Bauchi, Oyo, Zamfara, Yobe, Lagos, Edo, and Ekiti States.
The communique said the memo for their expulsion was presented by Acting National Chairman Abdulrahman, adding that they were sanctioned because of their disregard for court judgments.
Anyanwu, who read the communique, said: “The National Executive Committee (NEC) met on 18 November 2025 to address recent developments affecting the unity, stability, and constitutional order of our party.
“At a time when Nigerians look to the PDP for leadership, NEC convened to uphold truth, justice, discipline, and respect for the rule of law.
“NEC expressed deep concern over the actions of some members who violated subsisting court orders by organising and attending a purported and unauthorised convention.
“This act triggered confusion, factionalisation, and the defection of governors and legislators nationwide.
“NEC reaffirmed that the PDP draws its legitimacy from strict adherence to its Constitution and that of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, not from impunity.
“NEC received the report of the Acting National Chairman, Hon. Abdulrahman Mohammed, detailing breaches of Articles 58(1) and 59(1), including anti-party activities, disobedience to court orders, and conduct bringing the Party into disrepute.”
He added: “NEC further resolved that Chief Ali Odefa must refund all salaries and allowances collected after his expulsion on 12 December 2024. These actions are taken to preserve order and discipline within the party.
“NEC ratified the dissolution of State Excos in Bauchi, Oyo, Zamfara, Yobe, Lagos and Ekiti.
“The NWC is directed to constitute caretaker committees and begin fresh congresses immediately, while the Edo State Exco, led by Barrister Nosa Ogieva, has been approved.
“NEC directed deputies in all National Working Committee positions now vacant owing to expulsion to assume the substantive positions in acting capacity and function as NWC members.
“NEC also formally ratified the appointment of Alhaji Mohammed Abdulrahman as the Acting National Chairman of the party.
“NEC directed the legal team and NWC to commence immediate constitutional action to recover seats of all elected officials who defected from the PDP, in line with Sections 68(1)(g) and 109(1)(g) of the 1999 Constitution.
“NEC approved a party-wide reconciliation initiative to heal divisions and rebuild trust, while ensuring that reconciliation does not undermine discipline. A nationwide membership audit and revalidation will begin ahead of the 2027 elections.
“NEC acknowledged the anxieties among members but assures the Party faithful that these decisions are aimed at stabilising and strengthening the PDP.
“The NEC affirms that the era of indiscipline is over. The PDP will not bow to lawlessness or personal ambition.
“With unity, discipline, and renewed purpose, the PDP will rebuild stronger and restore public confidence ahead of the next electoral cycle.”
Anyanwu: I am Secretary till Dec. 8
Anyanwu told reporters that although it is not the tradition of the party to invite security agents during NEC meetings, he took the decision in the interest of order and peace.
He said: “I wrote to the security agencies and INEC on the 14th November informing them of the NEC/BoT meeting scheduled for today (yesterday).
“I am the National Secretary of the party, and my tenure runs till December 8.”
I have taken over, says Turaki
After the Wike/Mohammed group left the Secretariat, Turaki, who went into the office of the National Chairman, spoke on the drama.
He postponed the factional NWC meeting till today.
Turaki said: “I want to heartily welcome you to our Secretariat, the Wadata Plaza. We said in Ibadan after our elective convention that we would be coming today to conduct our inaugural NWC meeting.
“Coming back to Abuja, we discovered that some elements who have been expelled from our party by the National Convention, which, as you all know, is the highest decision-making organ of our political party, had made plans to disrupt this meeting.
“Yesterday (Monday), I had an interface along with some members of the NWC with the Commissioner of Police of the FCT. I told him that we are coming today (yesterday) to have our inaugural NWC meeting, and I told him that our leaders will be here to witness this historic moment.
“I also told him that we have seen on social media some flyers purporting to give notice of NEC and BOT by the people who are no longer members of this party.
“He assured us that he is going to protect us. He assured us that he’s going to provide security for us to conduct our meeting. I’m happy that the Commissioner of Police of the FCT has fulfilled his promise.
“They have made sure that we’ve gained entry into our secretariat, and we are here addressing the gentlemen of the press.
“Now, however, due to some incidents that are called by those people who are the enemies of progress, who are the enemies of democracy, we have decided that this meeting will be postponed till tomorrow (today).
“We will do everything to ensure that democracy survives. And if it means that we have to make an appeal to the international community to come and assist us, to rescue this democracy, we will not fail to do that. I want to call on all Nigerians to stand up.
“There is a serious threat to democracy in this country. As soon as democracy crumbles, then that will be the end of this country, God forbid.
“But for us in PDP, I had said it and I want to say it quite emphatically, that if it means that we lay down our lives for democracy to strive and survive in Nigeria, we are prepared to do that.”
Turaki urges Trump to save democracy
Turaki urged the international community to assist in salvaging democracy in Nigeria.
He said: “I want to call on President Trump to come and help save democracy in Nigeria. It is not only genocide against Christians that is happening.
“He should come and save democracy in Nigeria because democracy is under threat. I am calling on other developed nations to come and save democracy in Nigeria.
“I am taken aback that a serving minister will be leading thugs with the backing of the Police to come and invade this place.
“I have said that we are willing to lay down our lives to protect our office, to protect our democracy and to protect our mandate.
“Nigerians, you are seeing what is happening. The international community, you are seeing the threat that Nigerian democracy is facing. Come and save us.”
Chairman to Tinubu: Call your minister to order
Turaki urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to call Wike to order in the interest of peace in the country.
He commended leaders of the party and other stakeholders for remaining calm in the face of provocation.
He said: “I want to thank all of you for your resilience, for your courage, for your resoluteness in this struggle to take over our party, our property, and in doing so to save democracy.
“For the past seven hours, Nigerians have been living witnesses to the struggle we’ve been engaged in with those renegade members of our party that were expelled in our national convention in Ibadan. They came here with armed thugs to disrupt our meetings, but God was so kind that we were able to contain them effectively.
“Now, we have driven them out of the secretariat, and as you can see, I have entered my office, and I have assumed leadership as the elected national leader.
“So this struggle, no doubt, is a continuing one. We will continue, we will remain relentless, and we should continue to fight.
“But I want to call on the President. If there’s anybody who wants peace in any given society, it should be the leadership. The President should call his minister to order.”
Police: our men not involved inphysical fight
The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command yesterday distanced its men from the physical confrontation at the Wadata Plaza Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) National Secretariat in Abuja yesterday.
It also said that no policeman blocked Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed’s access to the party’s office.
A statement issued by the FCT Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) Josephine Adeh, a Superintendent of Police (SP), said: “The attention of the FCT Police Command has been drawn to a viral video circulating on social media alleging that police officers were involved in a physical confrontation and prevented the Governor of Bauchi State, from gaining access to the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) National Secretariat, Wadata Plaza, Wuse Zone 5, Abuja, on Tuesday, 18th November 2025.
“The Command wishes to categorically state that the claims are false, misleading, and do not represent the true situation. The entrance to the Secretariat was momentarily crowded, and what can be observed in the video are police officers dislodging private security personnel and bouncers who were obstructing the governor’s movement, in order to create a safe and unobstructed passage for him ahead of the scheduled Board of Trustees and National Executive Committee meetings.
“At no time were police officers involved in any scuffle, nor did they obstruct the governor, as falsely portrayed in the circulating video.
“The Commissioner of Police, FCT, CP Miller G. Dantawaye, psc, calls on media practitioners and social media users to verify information before publication or dissemination.
“He warns that spreading unverified or sensational content can mislead the public, generate unnecessary tension, and undermine the peace and security of the Federal Capital Territory.
“For accurate information and fact-checking, members of the public are encouraged to contact the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) via 07038979348.
“The Command therefore advises the public to disregard the misleading video and its accompanying narrative. The FCT Police Command remains steadfast in its commitment to maintaining peace, ensuring safety, and providing unwavering support to all lawful activities within the Territory.”
Speaker John Kizito Bonzina announced the mass defections yesterday during plenary.
Bonzina read the letters submitted by the lawmakers, each indicating their intention to leave the PDP and cross over to the APC.
According to the Speaker, the defections fall under Section 109 of the Constitution, which allows lawmakers to switch parties in the event of divisions within their party.
In their letters, the lawmakers cited a lingering leadership crisis within the PDP at the national level, claiming the existence of two rival factions.
They said the situation had thrown the party into confusion and made continued membership untenable.
The defectors, who confirmed their decisions after the plenary, said the unresolved internal wrangling that once elevated the party’s profile had weakened it.
The defectors said they had consulted their constituencies before dumping the PDP.
Jethro Yakubu, representing Wukari I, who spoke on behalf of the defectors, explained that the defections became necessary as the crisis threatening the PDP “has the potential to expunge the party from the country”.
Also, Musa Chul representing Gassol I Constituency, and Nelson Len, representing Nguroje Constituency, stated that remaining in the PDP would jeopardise their political future.
He said the PDP crisis prompted the defections while their supporters also endorsed the decision to join the APC..
With their defections, the APC has absolute majority in the 24-member House of Assembly.
Also, Vice President Kashim Shettima yesterday in Lokoja, the Kogi State capital, welcomed former Governor Idris Wada to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Shettima said he was in the state to formally welcome Wada and other defectors to the APC on behalf of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Besudes Wada, who was a PDP governor, other defectors were mainly from the Social Democratic Party (SDP) and the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
The Vice President, who arrived the Muhammadu Buhari Complex in Lokoja, the venue of the event at 4.40 p.m, handed over the APC flag and its symbol (the broom) to Wada and other defectors.
He told the new party members to see the APC as one family where members are allowed to grow.
Governor Ahmed Ododo, who introduced the new APC members to the Vice President, said they were good leaders who would also contribute positively to the further growth of the party.
Ododo said the formal declaration of the new party members had shown that Kogi State belongs to the APC.
The governor also said President Tinubu had demonstrated his love for the development of Kogi through various Federal Government’s projects being executed in the state.
He said: “President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is my father and I am proud to be his son. He is a true leader who has consistently shown me how to be a good leader. He is a committed democrat and I am sure Nigeria will be great again under his leadership.”
Party leaders at the event included former Governor Yahaya Bello, all members of the state House of Assembly and APC state executives.
Different camps plan meetings for national secretariat
Turaki: Wike, Anyanwu, others remain expelled
All indications point to a major showdown at the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Secretariat in Abuja today.
The newly elected national leadership, led by Alhaji Taminu Turaki, yesterday vowed to face off with the Muhammed Abdulrahman-led faction.
Both camps announced high-level meetings today at the Wadata Plaza national secretariat.
The faction led by Abdulrahman, believed to be loyal to Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike, scheduled emergency meetings of the National Executive Committee (NEC) and Board of Trustees (BoT) for today while the Turaki faction plans an inaugural meeting.
They are billed at the same venue at almost the same time.
Turaki met with the FCT Commissioner of Police yesterday, accompanied by other party leaders.
He said his team was prepared to confront anyone attempting to disrupt their gathering.
Turaki described members of the opposing camp as “no longer members of the PDP,” insisting their expulsion at the Ibadan convention remains binding.
According to him, the newly-elected NWC was willing to “lay down their lives” to defend the party’s mandate and Nigeria’s democracy.
He said the outgoing leadership was, by the party’s earlier timetable, expected to hand over between December 1 and December 8, since the Damagum-led tenure officially ends on December 8.
He told reporters: “We came to interface with the Commissioner of Police regarding our meeting tomorrow. We are holding our inaugural National Working Committee meeting of the PDP.
“At this meeting, we have invited our stakeholders, founding fathers, governors, National Assembly members, Board of Trustees members, state chairmen and other critical stakeholders.
“As law-abiding citizens, we came to notify the police ahead of the meeting. This is our first gathering since the Ibadan national convention.”
Turaki dismissed the parallel NEC and BoT notices issued by the Anyanwu faction, insisting that those behind the notices have been expelled.
“Next to God in the management of a political party is the National Convention. Its decision overrides all others. Our National Convention has made a decision to expel these elements. They are no longer members of our party,” he said.
He said the police had been alerted to forestall a breakdown of law and order.
“This democracy that our forefathers sacrificed their lives for, we are ready to also give our lives to sustain it,” Turaki declared.
He said the new leadership would access the national secretariat today with or without assistance from the police.
“Anybody occupying our offices without our consent is an interloper.
“We will go there, open the offices and begin to perform the functions for which we were elected,” he said.
Turaki added that the Commissioner of Police assured them of protection.
“We shall be there at 10 a.m. I will lead from the front. We expect the police to provide the protection we are entitled to under the law.”
The notice by the Abdulrahman-led faction, signed by the “expelled” National Secretary Samuel Anyanwu, said the BoT meeting would be held at 11 a.m. while the NEC meets at 2 p.m., both at Wadata Plaza.
The Ibadan convention, where Wike, Anyanwu and others were expelled, was held despite conflicting orders on its validity.
On October 11, Justice James Omotosho ordered the maintenance of the status quo in a suit, marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/2120/2025, filed by Austine Nwachukwu (PDP Chairman in Imo State); Amah Abraham Nnanna (PDP Chairman, Abia State) and Turnah George, Secretary, PDP Southsouth).
In a judgment on October 31, Justice Omotosho ordered that preparations for the convention be put on hold pending when the PDP would comply with the provisions of its constitution, the Nigerian Constitution and the Electoral Act.
The judge restrained INEC from monitoring the convention until the PDP complies with the relevant laws in relation to the holding of a convention.
On November 5, Justice Ladiran Akintola of the High Court of Oyo State issued an ex-parte order, granting permission to the PDP to proceed with its planned convention.
On November 11, Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court in Abuja issued an order of interim injunction stopping the PDP from proceeding with plans for the convention.
The order, which was to subsist pending the determination of the substantive suit, was issued in a suit filed by former governor of Jigawa State, Sule Lamido, who claimed to have been prevented from obtaining form to contest the party’s chairman position.
On November 13, Justice Akintola extended his earlier order, granting permission to the PDP to proceed with the convention.
On November 14, Justice Lifu delivered judgment in the suit by Lamido and ordered the PDP not to hold the convention without Lamido’s being allowed to contest the chairmanship position.
How Wike, others were expelled
Also yesterday, fresh details emerged on how Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde and other key party leaders coordinated the expulsion of Wike, Anyanwu and others during Saturday’s national convention.
Sources told our reporter that both Adamawa State Governor Ahmadu Fintiri, who chaired the convention planning committee, and Plateau State Governor Caleb Maftwang were deliberately kept in the dark about the plan to expel Wike and his allies.
“Fintiri is Wike’s friend. They feared he could have sabotaged the plan or even withdrawn from the convention if he was informed,” a source said.
The source said the motion for expulsion, moved by Chief Bode George, shocked both governors.
“They immediately dissociated themselves because they knew nothing about it until the motion was made.”
The source described the convention as a “carefully choreographed operation” designed to outwit Wike’s supporters and ensure the party charted a new direction.
A former House of Representatives member, Dachung Musa Bagos, has said the entire Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chapter in Plateau State will defect with Governor Caleb Mutfwang to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
He said if the governor defects, the people will elect him for a second term, despite the change of platform.
Bagos, who represented Jos South/East Constituency, told reporters in Jos, the state capital, that the ongoing crisis in the PDP has made it impossible for serious politicians on the Plateau to rely on the party’s structures.
He said the crisis between the two factions of the party put the people of Plateau off, despite their initial affection for the PDP.
Bagos said the present PDP chapter on the Plateau cannot deliver victory to any candidate
“In the PDP today, who is going to sign my form?” he queried pointedly. “Plateau is PDP, yes, but you cannot win elections on sentiment. We must tell ourselves the truth.”
Bagos said if the PDP fails to put its house in order before 2027, Plateau politicians would act in line with the realities on the ground.
The former lawmaker said the reality in Plateau showed that the people would follow Mutfwang, not the PDP.
“We are so much in love with the governor,” he said. “Wherever he goes, we will support him. Loyalty this time is to the candidate, not the party.”
Bagos emphasized that for the average Plateau indgene, the equation is simple: “The most important thing,” he insisted, “is for Mutfwang to be governor; it’s not about the PDP or APC. Plateau wants Mutfwang, period.”
Osun Governor Ademola Adeleke may have to seek an alternative platform for re-election in 2026, Deputy National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Engr. Kamoru Ajisafe has stated.
He said this is because the PDP cannot nominate a candidate for the governorship poll owing to internal crisis..
Ajisafe, while featuring on a private radio station, Rave FM in Osun State during a talk show programme, Frank Talk, on Monday monitored by The Nation berated the Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike and Factional Secretary, Senator Samuel Anyanwu for the crisis rocking the party.
He spoke as rumours gained traction that Adeleke may defect to the Accord Party next week ahead of the December 15 deadline for party primary by Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
He expressed dissatisfaction over the roles played by Wike, Anyanwu and other gladiators within the party leading to losing bigwigs such as Taraba Governor, Agbu Kefas.
According to him: “I am not happy with the way things are going in the party, Anyanwu is my personal friend. Like that of Ekiti, we said we are going to do the primary we have written INEC to monitor the exercise but Anyanwu group wrote to INEC that there should be no primary, considering that this exercise has its timeline.
“Like that of Osun State now, they gave us time for our primary which is December 15, Anyanwu was not ready to sign. So how do we move?
“That is an automatic ceding of the mandate of the election. Wike and Dr Ademola Adeleke met, they discussed freely only for Wike to come to national television and say that he advised Osun Governor, what advice did he give? Adeleke told him that he has to stop all the shenanigans and requested what he wanted.”
Responding to Adeleke’s possible defection from PDP ahead of primary, he said: “Let me tell you that if anything happens in Osun, it has to do with looking for a platform to contest, I am telling you.
“Where is the platform to contest now? If you are very good party man will you be happy losing someone like Taraba State governor, Osun state, like you rightly said he is planning, I don’t know about planning, political platform is to contest, I am not happy about that.
“But the problem we have in Osun is quite different from what we have in Taraba. Election of Taraba and some other States are in 2027. Our own in Osun is 2026, the primary for any political party trying to present a candidate for the 2026 gubernatorial election is December 15.
“What is the position of INEC, what do we do, how are we going to manage that? After December 15, INEC by the constitution will not recognise any emergence of candidate from any political primary.
“If you are a consultant what would you advice, will you advise that I stay in a party, where I would not be able to exercise my right of returning to office, just advice me what you want Adeleke to do now, he has not told the world but ask.”
Ajisafe: “It is absolutely known to the whole world that there is no way that the PDP would be able to nominate a candidate for the 2026 governorship election, if you block your road or gate for me to enter and another occupant of another platform magnanimously allow you to pass freely, would I be crying that you lock your gate?
“What do you expect somebody like Adeleke should do, I am talking frankly on the radio that people can hear me that is the fight we have with Wike and Anyanwu.”
The newly elected factional leadership of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) is prepared for showdown with the Samuel Anyanwu-led faction on Tuesday over it’s planned inauguration at the Wadata plaza national Secretariat.
Anyanwu-led faction believed to be loyal to FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, has also scheduled a National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting for the same venue on the same day and time.
Turaki told reporters after a meeting with the FCT Commissioner of Police that there were ready to confront anyone planning to disrupt their planned inauguration, adding that those planning to hold a NEC meeting at the Secretariat were no longer members of the PDP.
While saying they will ensure no breakdown of law and order, Turaki said the members of his National Working Committee elected at the party convention in Ibadan were prepared to lay down their lives to defend the party.
By the timetable released earlier in the year for the elective convention, the outgoing leadership was supposed to hand over between December 1 and December 8, 2025 since the tenure of the Damagun led leadership was supposed to elapse on December 8.
He said: “We came to have an interface with the Commissioner of Police of the FCT regarding the meeting we’ve planned to have tomorrow. We are going to have the inaugural National Working Committee meeting of our party, the People’s Democratic Party tomorrow.
“At this meeting, we have invited all our stakeholders and founding fathers. We’ve invited all our governors and members of the National Assembly. We’ve invited members of the Board of Trustees, our State Chairman, and other critical stakeholders
“As law-abiding people, we’ve come here to tell the police that we are having our meeting tomorrow. This will be the inaugural meeting since we left Ibadan after our election at our National Elective Convention.
“Now, we have seen things flying in the social media, a purported notice of BOT and NEC meeting given by people who, for all intents and purposes, are no longer members of this party, as I’m talking to you today.
“Next to God, in management of political party is the National Convention. The decision taken in a National Convention over rides every other decision that has been taken by any organ of a party. Our National Convention has taken a decision to expel these elements from the party.
“So, they are no longer members of our party. We have reported the moves they are making to the police, because we don’t want any situation where there will be breach of peace. As leaders, more than any other person, we want peace to be sustained. This democracy that our leaders, our forefathers, have sacrificed their lives to bring about to this level, we shall be ready to also give our own life to sustain this democracy.
“We are holding the meeting at our National Secretariat, which is the Wadata House and anybody that is sitting there without our consent and permission is an interloper.
“We have not sought for the assistance of the police or any other security agencies to lock up our offices. Now, we are going there, we’ll have the offices opened, we’ll get in there, and then begin to perform the functions for which we’ve been elected.
“I have assured the Commissioner of Police of the FCT that while we will ensure that no breach of the peace of course, we will go there prepared to defend ourselves and our integrity as Nigerian because Nigerian Constitution has given us the right to defend our persons, our lives, our properties. So, that is wat we are prepared to do.
“Let me reiterate again for avoidance of doubt, to defend our party, to defend this nascent democracy, we are prepared to lay down our lives. We will go there to move into our headquarters, to conduct our official functions, and if anybody tries to prevent us, then we pray for them.
“Our meeting is 10 am tomorrow. Circulars have gone out. We shall be there unfailingly. I, as the national chairman of PDP, will be leading from the front, not from the rear. We shall be there tomorrow.
“The CP had given us assurance that they will do everything it takes to ensure that there is no breakdown of law and order and that is our expectation from him. So, we’ll be there hoping that the police will make sure that they give us all the ample protection that we’re entitled to under the law and that assurance we’ve got it so we shall be there.”
