A dramatic power struggle erupted at the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) national secretariat in Abuja on November 3, 2025, as a faction aligned with former Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike forcefully took control of the party’s headquarters. The group, led by Senator Samuel Anyanwu and Mohammed Kadade Suleiman, declared a leadership overhaul, suspending Acting National Chairman Umar Damagum and several National Working Committee (NWC) members.
According to The Nation, the Wike-backed faction accused Damagum of anti-party activities and announced Mohammed Abdulrahman as the new Acting National Chairman. The faction also suspended National Secretary Samuel Anyanwu and Legal Adviser Kamaldeen Ajibade, citing misconduct and disloyalty.
The crisis escalated when thugs reportedly stormed the secretariat, harassing staff and journalists. Vanguard reported that security operatives were deployed to prevent further violence, while the PDP Board of Trustees (BoT) was forced to relocate its scheduled meeting due to the chaos.
In a swift countermeasure, the Damagum-led NWC dismissed the faction’s actions as illegal and reaffirmed its authority. Channels TV noted that the party’s internal conflict has been simmering for months, with tensions between pro-Wike and pro-Atiku camps deepening after the 2023 general elections.
Political observers warn that the PDP’s inability to resolve its leadership crisis could weaken its role as Nigeria’s main opposition party. The party has yet to issue a unified statement, and both factions continue to claim legitimacy.
