Dramatic Scenes Unfold as PDP Leadership Crisis Spirals Out of Control
Abuja witnessed high drama and violent chaos on Wednesday as thugs disrupted the highly anticipated Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Board of Trustees (BoT) meeting. The meeting, intended to discuss pressing issues within the party, quickly descended into a battlefield when two rival factions clashed over the contested national secretary position.
Violent Brawl at PDP Headquarters: A House Divided
Tension had been simmering ahead of the meeting, but pandemonium erupted when supporters of the two claimants to the national secretary position—Senator Sam Anyanwu and Sunday Ude-Okoye—engaged in a fierce altercation inside the PDP National Secretariat.
Eyewitnesses described scenes of raw violence as an aide to Anyanwu physically confronted Ude-Okoye, shoving him out of the meeting hall. What started as a heated verbal exchange escalated into fisticuffs, with chairs being overturned, fists flying, and party elders struggling to maintain order.
As Ude-Okoye attempted to re-enter the hall, his supporters, in a desperate show of force, stormed the Secretariat’s gates. Some scaled the perimeter fence, while others forcefully pushed their way inside, causing an all-out stampede. Security operatives, including mobile police officers and soldiers, were overwhelmed as chaos ensued.
Massive Police Deployment as Crisis Spins Out of Control
Realizing the situation was spiraling beyond control, security forces called for reinforcements. In a dramatic escalation, no fewer than five truckloads of heavily armed policemen were deployed to the PDP headquarters to contain the crisis.
Sources revealed that a combined detachment of mobile police officers and soldiers was ordered to forcefully expel the intruders. The scene quickly turned hostile as security personnel chased down the rowdy group, dispersing them with threats of arrest and physical restraint.
Among the casualties of the unfolding drama were journalists covering the meeting. Reporters from Silverbird Television and Arise TV were harassed and forced to delete their footage, raising serious concerns about press freedom and transparency within the PDP.
What Sparked the Violent Confrontation?
The melee was ignited when Ude-Okoye, who had been excluded from the high table, stormed the meeting hall and insisted that his “guests” (suspected thugs) be allowed to stay.
Eyewitnesses say BoT Chairman and former Senate President, Adolphus Wabara, attempted to mediate but was completely ignored.
What followed was unprecedented chaos, with PDP members, security personnel, and party officials engaged in a brutal push-and-pull battle.
Ude-Okoye Left in the Cold as Anyanwu’s Men Seize Control
As security operatives regained control of the situation, Ude-Okoye found himself locked outside the gates while his rival, Anyanwu, remained seated inside the hall with the acting PDP National Chairman, Ambassador Iliya Damagum.
A visibly enraged Ude-Okoye was heard shouting at security officers, accusing them of siding with Anyanwu and suppressing his faction. He lamented that his supporters were brutally ejected, while Anyanwu’s men were allowed to remain within the Secretariat.
Despite his protests, Ude-Okoye was left stranded outside, while the meeting proceeded behind closed doors.
Damagum Acknowledges PDP Crisis, Blames Leaders for Fanning the Flames
Before the violent outburst, acting PDP National Chairman, Ambassador Iliya Damagum, had admitted that the party was in serious crisis.
In his opening remarks, Damagum pointed fingers at powerful party leaders, accusing them of secretly orchestrating internal conflicts for their personal ambitions.
“Part of this crisis today is propelled by our leaders who should be uniting us, but instead, they are misleading members through their various meetings,” he stated grimly.
He issued a stern warning, cautioning that those “creating chaos to serve their ambitions” were endangering the party’s future.
“You may achieve your goal temporarily, but you will destroy the very structure you need to sustain it,” Damagum warned ominously.
Despite the chaos, he reaffirmed that the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting would take place in February, as promised in last year’s PDP Governors’ meeting in Jos.
BoT Chairman Wabara Expresses “Profound Disappointment” at PDP’s Declining Unity
During the opening session, BoT Chairman Senator Adolphus Wabara delivered a scathing critique of the PDP’s worsening internal divisions.
“This meeting comes at a time when our party’s unity, focus, and direction are being tested in ways that demand immediate reflection and decisive action,” Wabara declared.
He expressed deep disappointment over the worsening power struggles within the National Working Committee (NWC), stating that the failure to resolve these internal conflicts was undermining the credibility and strength of the PDP.
“It is imperative that the NWC rises above personal interests and prioritizes the survival of our great party,” he emphasized.
Wabara doubled down on the urgent need for the scheduled NEC meeting in February 2025, insisting that further delays would only deepen the PDP’s crisis.
“The NEC remains the highest decision-making body of our party. It is time to put personal grievances aside and work towards a unified PDP,” he urged.
Is the PDP on the Brink of Collapse?
As the once-mighty PDP continues to fracture, concerns are mounting over whether the party can survive its deepening internal divisions.
With violent clashes, leadership disputes, and accusations of sabotage becoming a recurring theme, some party insiders warn that the PDP is at risk of self-destruction.
Meanwhile, ordinary Nigerians, who once saw the PDP as a viable alternative to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), are growing increasingly disillusioned by the party’s inability to manage its affairs.
What’s Next for the PDP?
The coming weeks will be critical for the PDP as it prepares for the NEC meeting in February. But if Wednesday’s violent showdown is any indication, the road ahead will be fraught with more bitter power struggles and possible escalations.
Will the PDP rise above the chaos and emerge stronger? Or will it crumble under the weight of its own divisions?
Only time will tell.
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