Heavy security presence engulfed the national secretariat of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Abuja on Monday as two opposing factions within the party locked horns over the holding of the party’s 100th National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting.
By 8:30 a.m., no fewer than 70 armed police officers in about 10 operational trucks had taken strategic positions around the Wadata Plaza Secretariat, barricading the street and forcing out scores of youths suspected to be political thugs who had gathered around the premises.
The dramatic security takeover followed a deepening internal crisis in the opposition party, as two factions issued conflicting directives regarding the crucial NEC meeting initially scheduled for Monday, June 30, 2025.
On one side is the faction loyal to the PDP Acting National Chairman, Ambassador Umar Damagum, which pushed for the postponement of the NEC meeting in favour of a “Special Expanded National Caucus Meeting.” The camp, led by National Secretary Senator Samuel Anyanwu, had sent out a notice inviting former governors, immediate past gubernatorial candidates, ex-NWC members, PDP National Assembly caucus members, and other stakeholders to a caucus meeting slated for 2:00 p.m. at the same venue.
Conversely, another faction within the party’s leadership, led by the Deputy National Chairman (South), Ambassador Taofeek Arapaja, insisted that the 100th NEC meeting would hold as originally scheduled. At a press briefing on Sunday night, Arapaja dismissed the caucus meeting as unconstitutional, reaffirming that the NEC gathering was legally binding and unalterable.
“For the avoidance of doubt, the National Working Committee assures all party members that the 100th NEC meeting will proceed as scheduled tomorrow, Monday, June 30, 2025, at the NEC Hall of the Wadata Plaza,” Arapaja declared.
The conflicting directives heightened tensions within the PDP and prompted security agencies to intervene, deploying officers to prevent any breakdown of law and order.
By midday, it remained unclear whether either of the meetings would hold as planned, with security operatives maintaining control of access to the premises and only allowing select officials into the complex.
Party insiders say the lingering leadership tussle is rooted in unresolved disagreements over the party’s zoning arrangement, internal power-sharing, and the handling of the 2023 general elections’ aftermath.
As at press time, no official statement had been issued by the Nigeria Police Force or the PDP National Secretariat regarding the security blockade or the final decision on the disputed meetings.
The PDP, once Nigeria’s ruling party for 16 consecutive years, has continued to grapple with leadership disputes and factional interests since losing power at the federal level in 2015.
