ABUJA, Nigeria (FN) — Armed policemen were deployed to the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) headquarters in Abuja on Tuesday as two rival factions attempted to hold parallel meetings, underscoring deep divisions within Nigeria’s main opposition party.
Security vehicles and officers from the Mobile Police Force, Civil Defense Corps, and Department of State Services were stationed at both the PDP Legacy House and Wadata Plaza from the early hours of the morning. The deployment was aimed at preventing clashes between supporters of the two camps.
One faction, reportedly aligned with Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike, called for an emergency meeting of the party’s Board of Trustees and National Executive Committee. At the same time, a faction led by newly elected National Chairman Tanimu Turaki scheduled the inaugural session of the National Working Committee.
The overlapping meetings raised fears of confrontation, prompting authorities to act swiftly. Witnesses said armed officers blocked entrances and monitored the flow of party members and supporters to ensure order.
The PDP, once Nigeria’s dominant political force, ruled the country from 1999 until 2015, when it lost power to the All Progressives Congress (APC). Since then, the party has struggled with internal disputes over leadership, zoning, and alliances, weakening its ability to present a united front.
Former Niger State Governor Muazu Babangida Aliyu compared recent expulsions of members to “a surgical procedure to remove a cancerous tumor,” reflecting the depth of division within the party. Analysts warn that the crisis could further erode the PDP’s credibility as Nigeria’s main opposition.
Security agencies stressed that their deployment was preventive, aimed at ensuring peace rather than taking sides in the dispute. Legal experts note that factional battles within Nigerian parties often spill into the courts, raising questions about whether the PDP’s leadership struggle will end in litigation.
Public reaction has been mixed. Supporters of Wike’s faction argue that the police presence was necessary to prevent violence, while Turaki’s camp accuses authorities of intimidation. Ordinary Nigerians expressed frustration, saying the PDP’s infighting distracts from pressing national issues such as insecurity and economic hardship.
International observers say the turmoil highlights the fragility of opposition politics in Africa’s largest democracy. Nigeria’s political stability is closely watched across West Africa, where democratic institutions are under strain. A weakened PDP, analysts warn, could leave the ruling APC with little effective challenge.
Party insiders say reconciliation efforts have stalled, with each faction accusing the other of undermining unity. The Wike camp insists it is protecting the party’s legacy, while Turaki’s supporters argue they are restoring democratic order.
For many Nigerians, the PDP’s crisis raises doubts about whether the party can regroup ahead of future elections. With economic challenges and security concerns dominating national discourse, voters are watching closely to see if the opposition can overcome its divisions.
The standoff in Abuja underscores the fragile state of Nigeria’s opposition, as police intervention prevented immediate violence but left unresolved the deeper struggle for control of the PDP.
