PDP Crisis Deepens as Police Unseal Secretariat for Wike Faction, Embattled Publicity Secretary Condemns Action as Contemptuous

The leadership crisis rocking the Peoples Democratic Party has taken a dramatic turn following the unsealing of the party’s national headquarters in Abuja by the Nigeria Police Force, an action the embattled National Publicity Secretary of the party, Comrade Ini Ememobong, has described as contemptuous and a violation of pending court orders.

The police unsealed the PDP National Secretariat at Wadata Plaza, Zone 5, Abuja, along with The Legacy House in Maitama, on Saturday, ending a 143-day closure that began on November 19, 2025, when factions loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, and the Tanimu Turaki-led group clashed for control of the secretariat . The keys to the facility were handed over to the factional National Chairman, Hon. Abdulrahman Mohammed Takushara, and National Secretary, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, in compliance with court orders issued by the Federal High Court in Abuja .

The faction aligned with the FCT Minister subsequently announced the development in a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Hon. Jungudo Haruna Mohammed, commending the Nigeria Police Force for what it described as professionalism and adherence to the rule of law .

However, in a swift reaction, Comrade Ini Ememobong, who serves as the National Publicity Secretary of the Turaki-led faction of the PDP, issued a press statement condemning the police action as a blatant disregard for the judicial process. In the statement made available to newsmen, Ememobong argued that the police action constitutes contempt of court, insisting that the matter surrounding the leadership of the party and access to the secretariat is still pending before the courts.

Ememobong recalled that the party had earlier raised the alarm over plans by expelled members to forcibly gain access to the national secretariat while litigation was ongoing . He warned that any action taken to grant access to anybody pending the determination of the suit is a contempt of court and a violation of the principle of lis pendens.

The embattled publicity secretary reaffirmed the faction’s commitment to exploring all legal avenues to challenge what he termed an illegal takeover. He stated that the Turaki-led leadership has already approached the Supreme Court and remains confident that the apex court will have the final say on the leadership crisis . Ememobong added that the faction has directed its lawyers to immediately file an appeal and other relevant applications against the judgment of Justice Joyce Abdulmalik of the Federal High Court, which had earlier granted the Wike-backed faction access to the secretariat and ordered security agencies to provide them protection .

He accused the ruling All Progressives Congress-led government of President Bola Tinubu of orchestrating the crisis to weaken the opposition and impose a one-party state on the country. According to the statement, this fear is fuelled by the government’s knowledge of the impending rejection Nigerians are waiting to serve them because of their abysmal performance in core governance issues like security, the economy, and social welfare .

The Turaki-led faction insisted that the national convention held by the Wike group on March 29, 2026, in Abuja remains a nullity, arguing that the exercise violated subsisting court orders and the PDP constitution . Ememobong reassured genuine members of the PDP and democracy-loving Nigerians that the battle has been taken to the Supreme Court, where the apex court will, in the interest of democracy, expeditiously hear and adjudicate on the matter .

Meanwhile, the Wike-backed faction has warned that it will not condone any act capable of causing obstruction, disruption, or breach of peace at the secretariat again, adding that all individuals and groups are advised to conduct themselves within the bounds of the law, as security agencies have been duly alerted to take necessary action against violators . The faction also expressed profound appreciation to the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, whose support it described as invaluable in the struggle for the soul of the party .

As the leadership tussle heads to the Supreme Court, the Independent National Electoral Commission has updated its official website to reflect the Abdulrahman Mohammed-led National Working Committee as the legitimate leadership of the PDP, a development that further complicates the crisis and sets the stage for a landmark judicial pronouncement on the internal affairs of the opposition party .