Security has been tightened at the national headquarters of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Abuja as two rival factions prepare to hold separate meetings within the same complex.
A video circulating online, shared by the news platform Symfoni, showed armed policemen and patrol vans positioned at the entrance of the party’s secretariat on Tuesday morning, underscoring the rising tension.
Samuel Anyanwu, the factional national secretary aligned with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, arrived early and assumed control of the secretariat ahead of the planned meetings.
Speaking with journalists, Anyanwu insisted that he remains the legitimate national secretary of the party until his tenure ends in December. He added that he had resumed duties in his office despite the ongoing leadership dispute.
When asked about the deployment of security operatives who barricaded major sections around the premises, Anyanwu confirmed that he requested their presence.
He explained that it is standard practice for the PDP to invite security agencies whenever high-level meetings are scheduled, in order to maintain law and order.
Anyanwu added that the officers were also deployed to prevent any “intruders,” referring to those who announced intentions to hold a separate meeting at the Wadata Plaza.
The PDP crisis escalated on Monday after factions loyal to Wike and Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde fixed parallel National Executive Committee meetings at the party’s national headquarters, deepening divisions within the opposition party.
