Tear Gas Chaos as Rival PDP Factions Clash at National Secretariat in Abuja

Tear Gas Chaos as Rival PDP Factions Clash at National Secretariat in Abuja There was chaos at the national headquarters of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Abuja on Tuesday after police fired tear gas to disperse supporters of two rival factions battling for control of the party. The violence broke out when the Nyesom Wike-backed faction and the newly inaugurated National Working Committee (NWC) led by Kabiru Turaki scheduled parallel meetings at the PDP National Secretariat on the same day. Tensions rose sharply when Samuel Anyanwu, National Secretary of the Wike-aligned bloc, arrived at the Wadata Plaza headquarters with his supporters for their planned Board of Trustees (BoT) and National Executive Committee (NEC) meetings. READ ALSO: PDP BoT rejects caretaker committee proposal, insists national convention will hold as scheduled Political leaders, labour, civil society launch movement for credible elections ahead of 2027 polls EFCC arraigns former Access bank operations head for alleged $510,000 fraud in Enugu Heated arguments soon escalated into physical confrontations, forcing police officers on ground to intervene. As the crowd grew uncontrollable, operatives ordered everyone — including party officials — to vacate the building. When the clashes intensified, police deployed tear gas, triggering a stampede as party members, journalists, and staff struggled to flee the scene. Many were seen coughing, shielding their faces, and running toward nearby streets for safety. Outside the secretariat, rival supporters wielded sticks and other objects as confrontations continued, with both sides trading verbal and physical attacks. Police reinforcements were later dispatched to restore order, but tension remained high as both factions accused each other of instigating the violence. The crisis further deepens the internal turmoil rocking the PDP, marking another flashpoint in the struggle for control between the Wike faction and the Turaki-led NWC. Tear Gas Chaos as Rival PDP Factions Clash at National Secretariat in Abuja