A serious fight broke out among security officers at the Peoples Democratic Party’s national secretariat in Abuja on Tuesday, as Governors Bala Muhammed and Seyi Makinde were prevented from entering the complex.
In a video online, Messrs Muhammed and Makinde, who were escorted by a pool of supporters, were prevented from gaining access to the secretariat.
After several minutes of altercation among security officers and supporters, the governors managed to force their way into the secretariat with some of their escorts.
This came amid the takeover of the party secretariat by the Abdulrahman Mohammed-led faction of the National Working Committee, which is loyal to FCT minister Nyesom Wike.
The Taminu Turaki-led NWC, which was elected at the controversial national convention in Ibadan, had scheduled its inaugural meeting with party stakeholders today for 10:00 a.m. at the secretariat.
The Mohammed-led faction of the NWC had also summoned emergency National Executive Committee and board of trustees meetings for 11:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m., respectively, at the same venue.
The suspended national secretary, Samuel Anyanwu, had gained access to the secretariat during the accreditation of the 103 NEC meeting.
While noting that the deployment of security operatives at the party secretariat was part of routine arrangements whenever the party held its BOT or NEC meeting, Mr Anyanwu faulted his expulsion from the party, insisting he remained the national secretary.
“Anytime we’re having a BOT meeting or NEC meeting, we usually invite the security because of the people who are around, so they don’t embarrass our members. So, usually we write to all the security agencies for them to give us security to protect the office. That’s why you see the police here. It’s not the first time.
“I’m the national secretary of the party. My office is still running until December 8. So, undoubtedly, I’m doing my function,” Mr Anyanwu explained.
