What began as a routine day at the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) National Secretariat on Tuesday quickly escalated into a three-hour standoff marked by tear gas, clashes, and chaos. Governors, party officials, journalists, and staff were forced to flee repeatedly as rival factions battled for control of the secretariat.

At the center of the confrontation was FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, who arrived in a heavily guarded convoy but remained inside his vehicle throughout the standoff.

Overlapping Meetings Ignite Tensions

The conflict stemmed from clashing schedules: a Wike-loyal faction, led by Abdulrahman Muhammed, planned Board of Trustees (BoT) and National Executive Committee (NEC) meetings for 11:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m., while the Kabiru Turaki-led National Working Committee (NWC) scheduled its inaugural meeting for 10:00 a.m.

By mid-morning, Governors Bala Mohammed (Bauchi) and Seyi Makinde (Oyo) had joined Turaki at the secretariat, escalating tensions.

Brawls and Tear Gas

Inside the NEC hall, supporters of both factions clashed physically. Police responded with tear gas, causing panic. As Wike’s convoy entered, a heavier volley forced people to scatter. Governors Mohammed and Makinde positioned their vehicles to block Wike’s entry, turning the scene into a full-scale political showdown.

“We are not here to cause trouble. This is our place,” said Governor Bala Mohammed. “Imposters expelled by the convention came to cause commotion… Let the nation see the kind of democracy we have. Enough is enough.”

National Chairman Kabiru Turaki condemned the police for granting Wike access while allegedly blocking party leaders. He accused authorities of undermining democracy, warning that some members had been tear-gassed and shot.

Governor Seyi Makinde framed the standoff as a broader threat, saying,

“This battle is not about the PDP alone. It’s about the survival of democracy.”

Wike Camp Responds

Wike, accompanied by Senator Samuel Anyanwu, stayed inside his vehicle throughout. PDP chieftain Timothy Osadolor accused the governors of attempting to enforce decisions from an “illegal convention” held in Ibadan, describing their actions as unprecedented impunity.

Standoff Ends, Crisis Persists

By 2:00 p.m., Wike’s convoy left the premises without him stepping out. Governors and Turaki inspected the grounds before departing at 2:40 p.m., but another round of tear gas signaled that the party’s internal crisis is far from resolved.

Observers say the events highlight PDP’s deep fractures and raise urgent questions about political tolerance and institutional control in Nigeria’s opposition landscape.