The National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Kabiru Tanimu Turaki (SAN), on Tuesday officially assumed control of the party’s National Secretariat at Wadata Plaza, Abuja.
Turaki, accompanied by key party stakeholders including Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde and Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed, regained the secretariat from a faction led by the former National Secretary, Senator Samuel Anyanwu.
The takeover followed heightened tensions arising from the party’s National Convention in Ibadan, Oyo State, where Turaki was elected Chairman on November 15, 2025.
At the convention, the party expelled Anyanwu, Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike, former Ekiti State Governor Ayo Fayose, and others over alleged anti-party activities and actions deemed to undermine internal democratic processes.
Despite earlier barricades and resistance, Turaki’s delegation gained access to the National Executive Committee (NEC) Hall after brief scuffles involving security personnel and supporters of the opposing faction, including loyalists of expelled National Vice Chairman (North Central), Mohammed Abdulrahman.
The Turaki-led team, citing their constitutional mandate, took firm control of the secretariat, marking a decisive move to re-establish authority and end the factional occupation.
Earlier on Tuesday, the two rival factions, led by the newly elected National Chairman, Tanimu Turaki (SAN), and the other led by the former National Secretary Senator Samuel Anyanwu, held parallel BoT, NEC, and NWC meetings at the national secretariat in Abuja.
The faction led by Senator Anyanwu stormed the secretariat under heavy police protection, shutting out the bloc loyal to Governor Seyi Makinde, which elected Kabiru Turaki as National Chairman at the Ibadan convention.
Suspended National Secretary, Sen. Samuel Anyanwu, gained early access and commenced accreditation for what he called their 103rd NEC meeting, insisting he remains in office until December 8.
Anti-Turaki protesters also gathered outside with placards.
Anyanwu dismissed the heightened security as routine and denied his suspension, saying no valid convention was held.
He claimed INEC was never notified and that the Ibadan gathering lacked the required delegates, alleging that “people picked from the roadside” were dressed as delegates.
Security operatives from the police, NSCDC, and DSS maintained a heavy presence around the secretariat to prevent clashes as both factions continued to lay claim to the party’s leadership
