Supporters of Mohammed Abdulrahman, the factional acting national chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), stormed the party’s national secretariat at Wadata Plaza, Abuja, on Monday, sparking protests. Chanting songs of unity, the group demanded that Umar Damagum and his National Working Committee (NWC) vacate the offices immediately.
Abdulrahman’s emergence last week as acting national chairman followed a deepening PDP leadership crisis. The party had suspended National Secretary Senator Samuel Anyanwu and Legal Adviser Kamaldeen Ajibade for one month, worsening internal divisions.
In a dramatic twist, supporters of Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, gathered separately in Abuja and announced the suspension of the Damagum-led NWC. They accused Damagum’s team of mismanaging party affairs and vowed to restore control to the Abdulrahman-led faction.
As both groups battled for authority over the secretariat, security forces were deployed to prevent violence and maintain peace around the area.
The Abdulrahman faction has now occupied the National Chairman’s office, marking a major shift in control. Speaking with journalists, Abdulrahman promised to unite the PDP and prepare it for future elections.
“We are ready to work in the interest of our dear party,” he said.
Abdulrahman vowed to rebuild the party and strengthen its democracy before the next general election.
