Teargas, tension as rival PDP factions clash at Wadata Plaza

Tension erupted at the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) national headquarters in Abuja on Monday as clashes between two rival factions forced police to fire teargas to disperse warring supporters amid a deepening leadership crisis.

Chaos unfolded at Wadata Plaza when Governors Seyi Makinde and Bala Mohammed arrived with the Turaki-led executive, encountering fierce resistance from supporters of Senator Samuel Anyanwu’s faction, who attempted to block their entry. The confrontation quickly escalated, prompting police officers stationed at the headquarters to deploy teargas.

FCT Minister Nyesom Wike also arrived at the premises but remained inside his vehicle for more than 30 minutes as tensions continued to rise.

Makinde and Mohammed later addressed journalists, recounting how they were teargassed and obstructed by supporters aligned with the Anyanwu-led group.

Earlier, Channels Television reported heavy security presence around the PDP headquarters as both factions planned separate meetings at the same venue, each insisting on its legitimacy as the party’s true leadership.

Anyanwu and members of his National Working Committee (NWC) arrived first, with the embattled national secretary maintaining that his tenure remains valid until December. He took his seat in his office despite the dispute.

Responding to questions about the barricades and security deployment, Anyanwu confirmed he requested the presence of security operatives, describing it as routine during high-level meetings. He noted that officers were also positioned to prevent “intruders”—a veiled reference to the Turaki-led faction, which also scheduled its own meeting at the same headquarters.

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