The national headquarters of the Peoples Democratic Party in Abuja remained closed on Monday as the faction aligned with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, stayed away from the premises.
The group explained that the delay was due to ongoing administrative and security procedures connected to the reopening of the facility.
The National Publicity Secretary of the PDP National Caretaker Committee, Jungudo Mohammed, said the police had not refused their request to reopen the secretariat.
According to him, security authorities were still carrying out internal processes before taking a final decision on reopening the building.
He stated that the closure of the secretariat followed internal disagreements within the party over its leadership, a matter he said had already been resolved by the court.
He added that the police were expected to reopen the secretariat in line with the court order once their procedures were completed.
Mohammed also said the caretaker committee would continue to engage the police calmly and lawfully if the reopening was further delayed.
He maintained that the group had no intention of resorting to violence or any unlawful action and expressed confidence that the situation would not lead to conflict.
Tension over the PDP headquarters had risen on Sunday after the Wike-backed group and the faction led by Tanimu Turaki exchanged strong words over plans to reopen the secretariat.
While the Wike-aligned camp insisted it would resume activities at the headquarters, the Turaki-led National Working Committee warned that the police would be held responsible if unrest occurred.
The leadership crisis followed a January 30, 2026 judgment by a Federal High Court in Ibadan, which nullified the PDP national convention held in November 2025 and barred officials elected at the event from acting as national officers.
Despite earlier support for the convention by PDP governors, the ruling altered the party’s leadership structure.
Before the court decision, PDP governors had overseen a leadership transition, while the Wike-aligned faction set up a caretaker committee with a 60-day mandate.
Attempts by both factions to meet at the secretariat in November 2025 ended in violence, prompting the police to seal the premises, which has remained closed for nearly three months.
Following a separate court ruling in Oyo State that favoured the Wike-backed group, the party agreed to organise a fresh convention. The Independent National Electoral Commission later recognised the Wike-aligned faction in line with the judgment.
Plans to reopen the secretariat on Monday, however, were opposed by the rival faction, leaving the party headquarters locked as discussions continue.