PDP Postpones NWC Meeting as Wike, Turaki Factions Clash in Abuja

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Tuesday postponed its National Working Committee meeting following tension and protests outside its national secretariat in Wuse, Abuja.

PDP National Chairman, Kabiru Turaki, who addressed journalists after failing to convene the meeting, said the decision became necessary due to disruptions caused by opponents of the party leadership.

“Due to some incidents caused by those who are the enemies of progress, the enemies of democracy, we have decided to postpone this meeting till tomorrow,” Turaki said.

He spoke alongside Governors Seyi Makinde of Oyo and Bala Mohammed of Bauchi, insisting the party remained committed to peace and civility despite the unrest.

The postponement came amid a fresh standoff between Turaki’s faction and loyalists of the Nyesom Wike-led bloc.

PUNCH Online had earlier reported that Turaki emerged as National Chairman at a disputed convention on Saturday, a process rejected and boycotted by the Wike faction.

Both factions had scheduled their executive meetings for Tuesday, heightening tensions around the secretariat.

By 9:45 am, supporters of the Wike-backed faction—mostly women and youth groups—had taken over the streets around Wadata Plaza, chanting anti-Turaki slogans and displaying placards with messages such as “No to Turaki” and “Turaki must go.”

The protesters arrived with the sacked Acting National Secretary, Samuel Anyanwu, who was accompanied by heavily armed police officers as they attempted to assert control over the secretariat.

Turaki recounted the security measures taken before the meeting, noting that the party leadership had formally notified the FCT Police Commissioner of its activities.

“I told the Commissioner of Police that we are coming today to have our inaugural NWC meeting, and I told him that our leaders will be here to witness this historic moment,” he said.

He added that he raised concerns about social media notices announcing NEC and BOT meetings allegedly issued by individuals no longer recognised as party members.

“And he assured us that he is going to protect us, he assured us that he is going to provide security for us to conduct our meeting,” Turaki said.

The chairman expressed satisfaction that the police helped his faction access the secretariat before tension escalated.

Turaki thanked party leaders, former governors, National Assembly members and Board of Trustees members for showing solidarity despite the hostile atmosphere.

“We in PDP are a peace-loving people. We want peace to reign, because we want to take over governance in this country.
And so if we want to take over governance in this country, then we need to have one country in place,” he said.

He maintained that the party would not be drawn into violence, stressing that unity remained essential ahead of future electoral battles.

The National Working Committee session is now expected to hold on Wednesday, with the PDP insisting it remains committed to harmony and orderly conduct.

Party officials said they hope the tensions between the rival factions will ease before the next attempt to convene the meeting.