The internal turmoil within Nigeria’s main opposition party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), reached a dramatic new low this week, as the party’s leadership accused its suspended National Secretary, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, of orchestrating a violent intrusion into the PDP’s national headquarters.
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According to a strongly worded statement from the National Working Committee (NWC), chaired by Amb. Iliya Damagum, Anyanwu, who was suspended last week alongside several others for alleged “anti-party activities,” spearheaded a group of protesters and self-proclaimed enforcers to forcibly seize control of the Wadata Plaza secretariat in Abuja on Monday.
The rift deepened rapidly following Anyanwu’s suspension. In a bold counter-move, he issued his own “suspension order” targeting Damagum and key NWC members, while elevating PDP National Vice Chairman (North-Central), Mohammed Abdulrahman, as the interim National Chairman. This parallel claim to leadership prompted the Monday incursion, where Anyanwu and his supporters allegedly stormed the premises, declaring it under new management.
In a scathing post on its official Facebook page, the Damagum-led faction released what it described as “independently verified” CCTV footage of the incident, labeling it a “brazen break-in” under the viral hashtag #WadataInvasion. The video, which has since spread across social media platforms, purportedly shows:
@thenigerialawyer“CCTV Footage Captures ‘Brazen Break-In’ At PDP Headquarters — Anyanwu And Supporters Implicated In Chaos”♬ original sound – TheNigeriaLawyer
- Anyanwu, identifiable in his signature white caftan, coordinating the operation
- Emmanuel Okoronkwo, described as a “notorious thug leader,” wearing a grey jacket and low-pulled face cap, directing a band of hooded individuals
- The group methodically smashing locks, forcing open doors to administrative offices, and disrupting ongoing party preparations
The footage has ignited widespread outrage among PDP loyalists, who view it as a direct assault on the party’s institutional integrity. “This is not leadership, it is lawlessness,” the NWC statement declared, emphasizing that the invasion was a “desperate bid to sow chaos and derail the party’s unity drive ahead of critical conventions.”
Security sources cited in the post corroborated the claims, noting that the intruders targeted sensitive areas to halt preparations for upcoming party elections. No arrests were reported immediately following the event, but investigations are reportedly underway.
This episode underscores the deepening factionalism plaguing the PDP, Africa’s largest opposition party, as it grapples with leadership battles, defections, and preparations for the 2027 general elections. Analysts warn that the dual claims to authority could fracture the party’s voter base further, handing an advantage to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
Damagum’s NWC has vowed to pursue legal action against Anyanwu and his associates while calling on party members to rally behind efforts to restore order. “The PDP will not be held hostage by renegades,” the statement concluded.
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