Violence broke out on Tuesday at the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) National Secretariat in Wadata Plaza, Abuja, as police fired teargas to disperse rival supporters locked in a heated leadership dispute.
Channels Television reported that the unrest started when Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde, Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed, and the camp of the newly elected PDP National Chairman, Kabiru Turaki, arrived at the headquarters. Their presence sparked confrontations with security personnel and loyalists of Senator Samuel Anyanwu, who attempted to prevent their entry.
Security operatives aligned with Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike and those backing the two governors engaged in a tense standoff over control of the secretariat, prompting police to deploy teargas to quell the chaos.
Makinde eventually entered the premises alongside the new National Secretary, Taofeek Arapaja, while Wike remained in his vehicle for over 30 minutes, maintaining his support for embattled National Secretary Samuel Anyanwu.
Speaking to journalists afterward, Makinde and Mohammed described the tense atmosphere and the obstruction they faced from supporters of the Anyanwu faction.
Police later ordered all party members and supporters to vacate the premises to restore peace at the PDP headquarters.
