Judul : Turaki and Anyanwu to Hold Parallel Meetings at PDP Secretariat Today
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Turaki and Anyanwu to Hold Parallel Meetings at PDP Secretariat Today
A heavy veil of doubt looms over the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as two opposing factions get ready to conduct separate gatherings at the party's national headquarters, commonly referred to as Wadata Plaza, in Abuja today.
Two rival groups, one led by the newly elected national chairman, Tanimu Turaki (SAN), and the other by the expelled national secretary, Samuel Anyanwu, have arranged simultaneous meetings at the same location, sparking concerns of conflict and potential violence.
The intense surge signifies the most recent development in an ongoing internal conflict that has divided the PDP into two opposing factions.
According to Daily Trust, the National Working Committee (NWC) headed by Turaki has the support of most governors, the Board of Trustees (BoT), and established party institutions, whereas the faction led by Anyanwu consists of dismissed national officials, some ex-governors, and individuals who remain loyal to the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike.
The competition has developed into a complete institutional conflict, with each group asserting its authority and declaring the suspension of members from the opposing side.
A day with two conferences
A formal announcement, signed by the newly appointed National Publicity Secretary, Ini Ememobong Essien, stated that the NWC under Turaki's leadership has extended an invitation to governors (both current and former), members of the Board of Trustees, National Assembly groups, state chairpersons, and honorary members for an urgent meeting with key stakeholders, set to start at 8 a.m. in the National Executive Committee (NEC) Hall.
As stated in the notice, the meeting is intended to examine the proceedings of the 'successful' convention that took place in Ibadan, the same event which led to the formation of the new NWC and the removal of some of the party's former influential members.
However, almost at the same time, the faction aligned with Wike, whose main members had been expelled at the same convention, released its own statement, calling both the Board of Trustees (BoT) and the National Executive Committee (NEC) to a meeting today at the same place.
The BoT meeting is scheduled for 11:00 am, whereas the NEC session is set for 2:00 pm. Both announcements were endorsed by Senator Anyanwu, who continues to assert his position as the genuine national secretary of the PDP.
This creates the foundation for a direct clash, as both groups maintain they will physically take over the same building, use the same hall, and claim conflicting control.
Security on high alert
The nervousness has happened before. Just over two weeks ago, security officials closed the Wadata Plaza following intelligence alerts that warned of a potential violent confrontation between the two groups' followers. The police action caused both sides to delay their previous gatherings.
To prevent a similar situation from occurring again, Turaki, along with senior NWC officials, met with the FCT Commissioner of Police on Monday to inform him about their plans and seek security.
However, Turaki took it further, delivering one of the most robust cautions so far from the established PDP leadership.
We are prepared for peace but ready to protect ourselves - Turaki
Speaking to reporters following the meeting at the FCT Police Command, the newly appointed national leader stated that although his organization is dedicated to peace, it will not tolerate being threatened or illegally hindered.
"We arrived to meet with the Police Commissioner about the first National Working Committee meeting of our party," Turaki stated.
"As lawful individuals, we officially informed the police because we seek harmony, and we aim to maintain peace," he added.
Nevertheless, he swiftly introduced a strong reservation, stating, 'We will go there ready to protect ourselves, our party, our rights, and our democracy. The Nigerian Constitution grants us the right to defend our lives and our properties.'
Turaki claimed that the group supporting Wike is not legitimate, calling them "individuals who, in every practical sense, are no longer part of this party."
He mentioned that the Ibadan national convention, supported by the majority of party branches, had 'removed those currently trying to hold NEC and BoT meetings.'
He stated, "In the administration of a political party, the national convention ranks just below God. Its decisions take precedence over all other bodies. The convention removed them. They are no longer part of the party and therefore cannot lead its meetings."
He added, "We will reopen our offices, enter, and perform our responsibilities. Our meeting is scheduled for 10 a.m. I will be guiding from the front, not from behind."
The police commissioner, Turaki, assured them of safety and pledged to stop any disturbance of public order.
How the two groups came into existence
The present split stems from various legal conflicts, conflicting court rulings, and ongoing leadership disagreements inside the PDP.
In October, the Federal High Court in Abuja stopped the scheduled Ibadan convention after a legal challenge from three senior party members — the chairman of the Imo PDP, the chairman of the Abia PDP, and the South-South Zonal Secretary.
Judge James Omotosho determined that the convention breached the Electoral Act and the PDP constitution because it failed to conduct legitimate congresses in at least 14 states.
As a result, the acting national chairman, Umar Damagum, called an emergency NWC meeting which suspended four officers who were loyal to Wike due to 'gross indiscipline.'
The individuals who were suspended included Samuel Anyanwu (national secretary), Kamaldeen Ajibade (SAN) (legal advisor), Okechukwu Osuoha (deputy legal advisor), and Umar Bature (organizing secretary).
The PDP National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, stated at that time that their behavior violated party rules.
Wike's camp fires back
Shortly after, the suspended officers took action, declaring the suspension of Damagum and five additional national officials due to claims of inefficiency, financial wrongdoing, and actions against the party.
They named Mohammed Abdulrahman (North Central Vice Chairman) as acting national chairman. As a result, the party effectively split into two governing bodies, each suspending the other.
Ibadan convention held
The gathering was ultimately conducted in Ibadan following an Oyo High Court's approval to continue, even though two opposing orders were issued from Abuja.
At the gathering, a fresh group of NWC members was chosen with Turaki being selected as chairman, while Nyesom
Wike, Ayodele Fayose, Samuel Anyanwu, Kamaldeen Ajibade, Austin Nwachukwu, and several others were officially removed.
According to insiders, their violations reportedly involved anti-party actions during and following the 2023 elections, efforts to undermine the party from within, initiatives to establish a caretaker committee, and alleged pressure on the PDP to support President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for a second term, among other things.
Several party leaders, including governors and members of the BoT, reportedly agreed that removal was the sole method to stop the PDP from being 'taken over or destroyed.'
Main causes of expulsion, as stated by official party sources, involved efforts to get the PDP to back Tinubu in 2027.
Sources indicate that several governors were concerned after receiving intelligence suggesting the Wike group aimed for the PDP to officially support President Tinubu in the upcoming election.
A senior party official informed Daily Trust that 'Wike wished for the PDP to step aside in 2027, enabling Tinubu to run without opposition. This was not acceptable. A national party cannot abandon its presidential candidate.'
He mentioned that governors and other prominent PDP figures who have presidential aspirations reportedly opposed this strongly.
Top sources indicated there were efforts to weaken internal elections, with claims that Wike and his supporters intentionally blocked congresses in multiple states, leading to situations that later served as the foundation for legal challenges aimed at delaying the convention.
Daily Trust reported that, on the night before the Ibadan convention, a long meeting with PDP governors, BoT members, and NWC representatives tried to establish a ceasefire. However, the effort to maintain peace failed around midnight.
The main issues in dispute were whether to implement a temporary committee (Wike's stance) or to move forward with the Ibadan conference (the governors' view).
The governor of Adamawa State, Ahmadu Fintiri, and head of the NCOC, finally stated that the interested parties had decided to proceed with the convention as planned.
Analysts claim this constituted a critical setback for the Wike faction, marking the last step that resulted in the large-scale removals.
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