Tensions erupted at the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) national secretariat on Tuesday as police fired tear gas to disperse party officials and journalists, escalating the power struggle that has split Nigeria’s main opposition party. The incident occurred as two rival factions, one led by the newly elected National Chairman Kabiru Turaki and the other aligned with the expelled FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, attempted to gain control of the Wadata Plaza headquarters.
Ini Ememobong Essien, the Publicity Secretary elected at the recent Ibadan convention, strongly condemned the police action, stating that several PDP governors were among those tear-gassed.
Essien accused the security operatives of taking sides, claiming they “aided and abetted the entry of people who had been expelled from the party” while actively preventing legitimate members, including state governors and the National Chairman, from entering the premises.
“You have been tear-gassed. All of us know the truth. Today, some governors have been tear-gassed for what reason?” Essien questioned reporters. He revealed that the party leadership had briefed the Commissioner of Police on their concerns the previous day, yet the outcome was a use of force against party officials.
The crisis follows the highly contested national convention in Ibadan, where Kabiru Turaki (SAN, a former Minister of Special Duties) was elected National Chairman. Crucially, the convention also ratified the expulsion of FCT Minister Nyesom Wike and his key loyalists, including former National Secretary Samuel Anyanwu, over anti-party activities. Despite their expulsion, the Wike-aligned faction attempted to hold an emergency meeting at the secretariat, prompting the police intervention.
In a highly political escalation, Essien publicly called on President Bola Tinubu to rein in his FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike. Essien warned that Wike’s continuous involvement in party disputes, which he described as causing “chaos and confusion,” threatens to damage Nigeria’s democratic record.
“We are simply asking him [the President] to remove his hands from the opposition,” Essien stated. He further warned: “If the president cannot call his minister to order, then history will record for him that he destroyed this republic.”
Earlier in the day, before the dispersal, supporters of the Wike faction had gathered around the Wadata Plaza, carrying placards with slogans such as “No to Turaki” and “Turaki must go,” underscoring the deep division within the opposition.
The prolonged political instability and violent confrontation within the PDP are viewed by economic analysts as a significant hindrance to national stability and effective governance. Political infighting within the primary opposition party diverts its focus from its crucial role of scrutinising government economic policies.
With Nigeria currently facing major economic challenges including high inflation, foreign exchange volatility, and the implementation of painful subsidy removal policies the public needs a functional opposition to provide rigorous debate, offer alternative economic blueprints, and hold the ruling party accountable for its financial stewardship.
As one analyst noted, the sight of a major party being torn apart, requiring police intervention, “sends a terrible signal to potential foreign investors about the security and predictability of the political climate.” This lack of political cohesion weakens the system of checks and balances, potentially allowing government policies to proceed without adequate oversight, which ultimately impacts the economic well-being of all Nigerians.
The police action in Abuja highlights that the battle for the PDP’s soul is far from over, carrying political and economic implications that reach far beyond the party’s walls.
