PDP Headquarters Still Shut Amid Reopening Claim

The national secretariat of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Abuja remained shut despite claims by the national caretaker committee that it would access the premises yesterday.

The renewed drama over the sealing of the premises followed last Thursday’s declaration by national secretary of the caretaker committee, Samuel Anyanwu, that they would take over the national secretariat on Monday.

He made the declaration on the back of a Federal High Court judgement in Ibadan, which annulled the national convention which produced the Turaki-led National Working Committee.

Anyanwu’s claim, after a closed-door meeting at the Independent National Electoral Commission headquarters, was countered by national publicity secretary of Turaki-led PDP, Comrade Ini Ememobong, who warned that the premises is still a subject of a pending litigation and that any attempt to access the premises would be resisted.

The PDP national secretariat, popularly called Wadata House, has been sealed since last year after a clash between the Kabiru Tanimu Turaki-led PDP, backed by PDP governors, and the Adbulrahman Mohammed-led PDP, backed by the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.

The Police was forced the seal the premises resulting in an ongoing legal battle for the reopening of the secretariat.

However, a visit by our correspondent to the party’s headquarters located in Wuse Zone 5, yesterday showed that the premises were deserted, with no visible sign of activities or preparation for reopening.

There was also no presence of party officials or heavy security personnel at the premises.

A security guard at the premises, who declined to mention his name, told our correspondent that he was not aware of any planned reopening of the secretariat on Monday.

According to him, there had been no official communication or indication that activities would resume at the facility.

“I have not been informed that the place will be open today (Monday). Maybe later in the day, but for now, there is nothing like that,” the guard said.

Efforts to get confirmation from officials of the faction were unsuccessful as of press time.

It was however learnt that while the caretaker committee sought the Police permission to gain entry to the office, the Turaki-camp also wrote to the Police on the implication of reopening the premises in light of a pending court case on the matter.

Meanwhile, the Turaki-led  party has appointed a caretaker committee for Abia State.

The nine-member committee is chaired by Mr Ikpegbu Emeka-Yellow, a statement by the national publicity secretary, Comrade Ini Ememobong, said.

He said the committee is charged with the responsibility of running the affairs of the Party in Abia State, as stipulated in Section 21(2)(a-b) of our Party’s Constitution for a period not exceeding 90days or till such a time a new executive shall be elected.

“In carrying out this assignment, the members are to be guided strictly by the PDP Constitution (2025, as amended), the Electoral Act, 2022 and the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999, as amended,” he said.

As part of ongoing dispute within the party, a PDP faction in Abia State has lauded INEC for recognising the Wike-backed National Caretaker Working Committee.

‎In a statement made available to LEADERSHIP in Umuahia, the state capital, the publicity secretary, Jude Udeachara said the recognition followed a judgment of the Federal High Court, Ibadan Division.

‎”INEC’s action, which has put an end to the leadership crisis in the party, follows the unambiguous ruling, which nullified the purported PDP convention held in Ibadan, Oyo State, in November 2015.

‎The court further restrained beneficiaries of the annulled convention, popularly referred to as the Aminu Turaki-led group, from parading themselves as members of the committee,” it explained ‎

‎It also said the chapter viewed the development as a significant milestone in restoring order, legality, and internal coherence within the party at the national level, ‎

‎Furthermore, the chapter noted that this is “especially at a time when preparations for authentic National convention and future electoral activities are gathering momentum”.

‎”With the INEC’s position now clearly aligned with judicial pronouncement, the party is optimistic that attention will shift toward reconciliation, unity, and the stabilization of PDP structures across the country.

‎‎”The chapter reiterates its commitment to due process and calls on all party members to respect the rule of law and work collectively for the strengthening of the party in the wards, LGAs, states and the Nigerian nation,” it stated.