Kabiru Turaki (SAN) officially took office as the national chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Tuesday, following a tense standoff at the party’s Wadata Secretariat in Abuja.
The leadership crisis within the party escalated earlier in the day as rival factions confronted each other.
Turaki recounted the seven-hour struggle, noting that some expelled members arrived with armed supporters to disrupt proceedings. “God so kind, we were able to contain them effectively,” he said.
“Now, we have driven them out of the secretariat, and I have entered my office; I have assumed leadership as the elected chairman, ” he added.
The situation turned chaotic when Turaki, alongside Governors Seyi Makinde of Oyo State and Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State, arrived at the secretariat.
Police fired teargas to disperse supporters loyal to Samuel Anyanwu and FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, who refused to vacate the premises.
Turaki highlighted the restraint exercised by his group, warning that without it, the confrontation could have resulted in bloodshed.
He said more than 50 canisters of teargas were deployed, but his team remained steadfast.
Despite the conflict, Turaki pledged that the PDP would continue to defend democracy and uphold its role as a vanguard of democratic principles.
“I have taken over my office, and PDP is back on course,” he affirmed.
The clashes followed the PDP convention in Ibadan, Oyo State, held over the weekend.
During the convention, Anyanwu, Wike, former Ekiti State Governor Ayo Fayose, and others were expelled for alleged anti-party activities.
Anyanwu dismissed the suspension, labeling the convention a “jamboree” and questioning its legality.
The recent events underscored the ongoing internal struggle within Nigeria’s opposition party as it seeks to consolidate leadership under Turaki’s chairmanship.
