Abuja, November 3, 2025 – The leadership crisis rocking the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) escalated dramatically on Monday as supporters loyal to Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike stormed the party’s national headquarters, Wadata Plaza in Abuja, and installed Mohammed Abdulrahman as acting national chairman.
The protesters, waving PDP flags and chanting solidarity songs, demanded the immediate vacation of the Umar Damagum-led National Working Committee (NWC), accusing it of mismanaging party affairs and undermining internal democracy.
The takeover followed a weekend of reciprocal suspensions that has plunged the opposition party into its worst leadership turmoil in years.
Last week, the Damagum faction suspended National Secretary Senator Samuel Anyanwu and National Legal Adviser Kamaldeen Ajibade (SAN) for one month over alleged anti-party activities. In a swift counter-move, the Wike-backed faction convened in Abuja and suspended Damagum, National Publicity Secretary Debo Ologunagba and other key officers, declaring Abdulrahman acting chairman.
By midday Monday, the Abdulrahman group had gained physical control of the national chairman’s office. Speaking to journalists inside the secretariat, Abdulrahman pledged to unify the party and prepare it for future electoral battles.
“We are ready to work in the interest of our dear party,” he said. “Our focus is to heal divisions, restore confidence and reposition the PDP as a credible alternative for Nigerians.”
Security operatives were deployed to the premises to prevent clashes, as both factions remained defiant.
A letter notifying the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of Abdulrahman’s appointment was delivered Monday morning—the second such notification in less than 72 hours.
Party sources say governors, elders and the Board of Trustees are intensifying behind-the-scenes efforts to avert a total collapse, with an emergency National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting now seen as the only path to resolution.
As night fell, Wike loyalists maintained a vigil outside the secretariat, vowing not to leave until their leadership is fully recognized.
The PDP, once Nigeria’s ruling party for 16 years, now faces the real prospect of parallel structures and a fractured opposition ahead of the 2027 general elections.
