Tensions flared at the national headquarters of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Abuja on Monday, as what was meant to be a high-level caucus meeting descended into confusion and confrontation, following the forceful ejection of two party members by security operatives.
The meeting, which was scheduled to hold at the National Executive Committee (NEC) Hall, turned chaotic when security personnel, acting on instructions from party protocol officers, removed two individuals deemed unauthorized to attend the gathering.
Eyewitnesses reported that the scene escalated dramatically when protocol officials challenged the presence of the unnamed members, asserting they were not part of the party’s National Working Committee (NWC).
The confrontation quickly turned physical, culminating in the shattering of a glass door at the NEC hall during the scuffle.
“Are you NWC member?” shouted Chinwe Nnorom, PDP’s National Director of Publicity, moments before the two individuals were dragged out of the venue by armed operatives.
Earlier in the day, a heavy security presence had already taken over the PDP national secretariat in Wuse Zone 5, barring members of the Board of Trustees (BoT) from accessing the NEC hall for their own scheduled meeting.
The BoT, regarded as the conscience of the party, was compelled to relocate their gathering to the Yar’Adua Centre in Abuja’s Central Business District. The relocation, seen as a significant embarrassment, highlights the depth of internal wrangling currently plaguing the former ruling party.
Monday’s incident is the latest in a series of dramatic episodes within the PDP, which has been grappling with internal divisions and factional disputes in recent weeks.
READ ALSO: PDP relocates BoT meeting to Yar’Adua Centre after Police seal off Wadata plaza
Party insiders say the current crisis revolves around control of party organs, zoning arrangements ahead of the 2026 general elections, and unresolved grievances from the 2023 electoral cycle.
Sources close to the party leadership say today’s events may signal the deepening of factional lines, with rival camps allegedly mobilizing parallel meetings and security arrangements to assert dominance.
“This is not just a misunderstanding; this is a full-blown power tussle,” said a senior party official who spoke under anonymity. “The chaos we saw today is only a reflection of the battles going on behind closed doors.”
As of press time, the PDP leadership had yet to release an official statement regarding the ejections or the disruption of the BoT meeting. However, several party stakeholders have called for calm, urging leaders at all levels to prioritize internal reconciliation over public confrontation.
Political analysts say the party must act swiftly to salvage its image and prevent further damage, especially with critical state elections looming in the coming months.
“The PDP is walking a tightrope,” said political analyst Yusuf Alabi. “Public scenes like this reinforce the perception of instability and can weaken the party’s standing as a credible opposition force.”
The NEC meeting, despite the disruption, is expected to proceed with a limited number of attendees, even as concerns grow over whether the party can resolve its deepening internal fractures.