The newly elected National Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Ini Ememobong, has condemned the violent standoff at the party’s Wadata Plaza headquarters in Abuja on Tuesday.
Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today, on Tuesday, Ememobong described the incident as a worrying indicator of Nigeria’s declining democratic culture and questioned the legitimacy of the disputed meeting.
He also said the standoff was particularly dangerous, with police firing tear gas that put attendees, including elderly members with health conditions, at serious risk.
Ememobong further accused the ruling party of fostering hostility against the opposition and suggested that political actors must resolve disputes through lawful means to prevent a slide toward “electoral authoritarianism.”
Ememobong addressed conflicting court orders surrounding recent party decisions, noting that while the Supreme Court holds that courts generally lack jurisdiction over internal party affairs, some lower courts had assumed jurisdiction.
He emphasised that the appellate courts and ultimately the Supreme Court would provide final clarity.
The chaos unfolded as supporters of Senator Samuel Anyanwu blocked the arrival of Governors Seyi Makinde and Bala Mohammed, who aligned with the Turaki-led faction.
FCT Minister Nyesom Wike stayed in his car for over 30 minutes during the confrontations. After hours of tension, Kabiru Turaki declared control of the secretariat as National Chairman.
Following the Ibadan National Convention, pro-Wike NEC expelled Makinde, Mohammed, Dauda Lawal, Bode George, Wabara, and Turaki, dissolving six state executives.
Anyanwu blamed PDP governors for aggravating the crisis but maintained that the party remained intact.
