The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has plunged deeper into crisis as loyalists of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, reportedly took control of the party’s national secretariat—Wadata Plaza—in Abuja, intensifying an already volatile internal power struggle.
According to eyewitnesses and party insiders, the Wike faction arrived at the secretariat in a coordinated manner, accompanied by loyal officials and supporters, asserting administrative authority over key offices. Their action is widely seen as a direct challenge to the authority of the party’s National Working Committee (NWC), which has struggled to maintain internal cohesion following months of infighting.
The takeover comes amid long-standing tensions between Wike and the party leadership, exacerbated by disagreements over zoning, control of party structures, and the fallout of the 2023 presidential primaries. Wike’s influence—particularly among governors, former lawmakers, and grassroots coordinators—has made him a formidable force within the PDP despite serving in a ruling APC-led federal government.
Party members expressed mixed reactions. Some described the move as a “hostile political coup,” while others framed it as a necessary step toward reclaiming the party from what they call “weak and compromised leadership.” Videos circulating online show heated exchanges at the secretariat, with security personnel stepping in to prevent escalation.
Analysts warn that this deepening factional war threatens the PDP’s viability ahead of the 2027 general elections. With several key states already divided along pro- and anti-Wike lines, the party risks a mass exodus of members if reconciliation efforts fail.
The Wike faction insists the party must undergo urgent restructuring to regain public trust, while opponents accuse Wike of attempting to hijack the party for personal political ambition. Former party chairmen and elder statesmen have called for immediate intervention to prevent what they describe as “the total collapse of Nigeria’s biggest opposition platform.” As the situation unfolds, the PDP faces one of its most defining moments in recent history. Whether the party can survive this internal storm or fracture beyond repair remains uncertain, but one thing is clear: Wadata Plaza is now the battleground for the soul of the PDP.