Security was stepped up at the Peoples Democratic Party’s Legacy House in Abuja on Tuesday as two rival factions of the opposition party convened separate meetings for the same time and venue, deepening tensions over the PDP’s worsening internal crisis.
Armed police officers and patrol vans were stationed around the building from early morning, amid fears that supporters of the opposing blocs could clash.
The faction aligned with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, had earlier announced an emergency meeting of the party’s Board of Trustees and National Executive Committee for Tuesday, 18 November.
The notice, issued by the factional National Secretary, Samuel Anyanwu, was circulated on Monday by Lere Olayinka, media aide to the FCT Minister, indicating that the meetings would hold at the NEC Hall of the PDP National Secretariat, Wadata Plaza.
But loyalists of Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde also fixed a separate meeting for the same venue and date, raising fresh tensions within the party’s hierarchy.
The parallel gatherings followed days of escalated wrangling, coming on the heels of the PDP’s decision to expel Mr Wike; former Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose; and the party’s former National Secretary, Mr Anyanwu, during its national convention in Ibadan.
Their removal was approved after a motion moved by former National Vice Chairman (South), Chief Olabode George, and seconded by the PDP chairman in Bauchi State, Samaila Buga.
However, the fallout spread further on Monday when Plateau State Governor Caleb Mutfwang distanced himself from the expulsions, insisting that he neither supported nor was consulted on the move.
In a statement by his Director of Press and Public Affairs, Gyang Bere, Mutfwang said the proposal was not discussed at the PDP Governors’ Forum or at the National Executive Committee before delegates voted on it in Ibadan.
He argued that the expulsion of key figures at a turbulent moment was "not a strategic step" toward resolving the party’s crisis.
The governor called instead for unity and internal dialogue, urging party leaders to prioritise reconciliation as disputes threaten to fracture the PDP further.
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