Kabiru Turaki has officially taken office as the factional national chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) at the party’s National Secretariat in Wadata Plaza, Abuja, amid rising tensions within the party. Turaki arrived with the support of Governors Seyi Makinde of Oyo State and Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State.
The move follows a period of internal conflict within the PDP, particularly after the national convention in Ibadan, where several high-profile members, including FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, and former Ekiti Governor Ayo Fayose, were expelled for alleged anti-party activities. In response, the faction loyal to Wike announced the expulsion of Turaki and other leaders, escalating the confrontation between the two camps.
On Tuesday, both factions converged at Wadata Plaza for separate National Executive Committee and Board of Trustees meetings, resulting in a tense standoff that required heavy security intervention. Turaki’s faction reported that their loyal members were briefly challenged by opposing groups, but they managed to take control of the secretariat and assert leadership.
Turaki accused elements within the federal government of involvement in disrupting party activities and warned that his faction would mobilize supporters nationwide if such actions continued. He also appealed to the international community to observe the unfolding events, framing them as a defense of internal party democracy.
Despite the turmoil, Turaki praised members of his faction for remaining calm and law-abiding, noting that they continued to maintain order while asserting their leadership role. The situation reflects ongoing divisions in the PDP, with both factions insisting on their authority and claiming legitimacy.
The political struggle within the PDP shows no immediate signs of resolution as party leaders and members navigate the competing claims of authority and control over the party’s operations