A major protest erupted on Monday at the national headquarters of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Abuja, as loyalists of the factional acting National Chairman, Mohammed Abdulrahman, took over the party’s secretariat.

Supporters of Abdulrahman, who chanted solidarity songs, demanded the immediate exit of the National Working Committee (NWC) led by Umar Damagum. The demonstrators accused Damagum’s leadership of mismanaging the party’s affairs and pledged allegiance to the Wike-backed faction.

The takeover followed the suspension of the party’s National Secretary, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, and Legal Adviser, Kamaldeen Ajibade, for one month, deepening the party’s internal crisis.

In a dramatic twist, the faction aligned with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, convened a separate meeting where it announced the suspension of Damagum and his loyalists from the NWC.

Security operatives were deployed to the scene to prevent a breakdown of law and order as both factions struggled for control of the secretariat.

Shortly after gaining access to the National Chairman’s office, Abdulrahman addressed journalists, pledging to reunite and reposition the party ahead of the next general elections.

“We are ready to work in the best interest of our great party,” he said, promising to restore confidence and discipline among members.