Police Seal PDP National Secretariat as Party Factions Clash in Abuja

|By Chinwendu Nwani

Armed operatives of the Nigeria Police on Wednesday sealed the National Secretariat of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) at Wadata Plaza, Abuja, intensifying tensions following a violent clash between rival party factions.

The police action came less than 24 hours after a confrontation erupted between the Saminu Turaki-led faction and supporters loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike. The confrontation on Tuesday descended into chaos, leaving Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde and Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed teargassed as both camps jostled for control of the facility.

By Wednesday morning, officers had mounted a barbed-wire barricade around the secretariat, blocking entry and discouraging movement around the building. Only a few policemen were seen guarding the cordoned perimeter, while leaders of the two feuding factions were noticeably absent.

Tensions flared again when supporters of the Kabiru Turaki-led group condemned the police barricade, insisting the party office should not be shut despite the leadership tussle.