PDP National Secretariat Erupts In Chaos As Tensions Flare Over Leadership Dispute.
Violence erupted at the National Secretariat of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Abuja on 30 June 2025, as a planned expanded National Caucus meeting descended into chaos. The altercation, which unfolded at the party’s Wadata Plaza headquarters, was sparked by ongoing internal disputes, particularly over the position of National Secretary, and required swift intervention by Nigerian police to restore order.
The commotion began ahead of the PDP’s special expanded National Caucus meeting, scheduled for 2:00 pm, which was intended to address critical party matters, including the controversial postponement of the 100th National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting. Sources within the party indicate that tensions had been simmering due to conflicting statements from party organs, with the National Working Committee (NWC) and Acting National Chairman, Ambassador Umar Damagum, at odds over key decisions. The NWC had rejected Damagum’s announcement that Senator Samuel Anyanwu would resume as National Secretary, a role contested by Arch Setonji Koshoedo, who was appointed acting National Secretary by the PDP Governors Forum.
Eyewitnesses reported that the unrest escalated when suspected thugs, allegedly hired to disrupt the caucus meeting, stormed the secretariat. Posts on X described the scene as chaotic, with one user alleging that “thugs masquerading as staff” attempted to sow disorder but were “bundled out” by police operatives. The Nigeria Police, deployed to maintain law and order, acted swiftly to remove the intruders and block unauthorised access to the premises, earning praise from some party members for their vigilance.
The leadership tussle over the National Secretary position has been a focal point of the PDP’s internal strife. Earlier in 2025, a lower court had named Sunday Ude-Okoye as National Secretary, a decision challenged by Anyanwu at the Supreme Court, which ruled in March that internal party matters were not for judicial intervention. Despite this, resistance from staff and some NWC members against Anyanwu’s return has deepened divisions, with a reported walkout by secretariat staff on 24 June in protest against his attempt to reclaim the role.
The PDP, one of Nigeria’s two major political parties alongside the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), has been grappling with internal crises that threaten its cohesion ahead of the 2027 general elections. The party, which governed Nigeria from 1999 to 2015, has faced accusations of mismanagement and factionalism, with recent defections to the APC further weakening its position. The latest incident at the secretariat underscores the challenges the PDP faces in presenting a united front as it prepares for its National Convention in August 2025.
In a statement, the PDP reiterated its commitment to resolving internal disputes and repositioning itself as a formidable opposition force. However, the violence at the secretariat has drawn sharp criticism, with some Nigerians expressing concern over the party’s ability to provide a credible alternative to the APC. One X post lamented, “PDP members fighting at their National Secretariat. Just imagine if this was another party—there’d be no end to the mockery.”
As the dust settles, the PDP faces mounting pressure to address its internal divisions and restore stability. The police presence at the secretariat has temporarily quelled the unrest, but the underlying issues of leadership and party unity remain unresolved. With the 2027 elections looming, the PDP’s ability to navigate this turbulent period will be crucial to its ambitions of reclaiming political relevance.
