ABUJA, Nigeria — Kabiru Turaki, newly elected national chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, has announced the postponement of the party’s inaugural national working committee meeting, citing attempts by rival factions to destabilise party operations amid an escalating leadership crisis.
Turaki told journalists on Tuesday, November 18, 2025, that the meeting, originally scheduled to hold in Abuja, would now take place on Wednesday, November 19, 2025.
He made the announcement after gaining access to the party’s national secretariat at Wadata Plaza, where tensions flared earlier in the day as supporters of competing factions sought to take control of the complex.
He said the shift became necessary due to “actions of those undermining democracy and progress”, adding that individuals no longer recognised as party members were circulating flyers on social media announcing National Executive Committee and Board of Trustees meetings.
Turaki, accompanied by Seyi Makinde, governor of Oyo, and Bala Mohammed, governor of Bauchi, commended the Federal Capital Territory commissioner of police for deploying security personnel who ensured the party leadership could enter the premises safely.
“They kept their word by ensuring we could access the secretariat to address Nigerians,” he said.
He added that he had briefed the commissioner about the planned NWC meeting and alerted him to the conflicting notices issued by elements opposed to the party’s new leadership.
Turaki expressed gratitude to party stakeholders for their support, noting that governors, members of the National Assembly, former governors, former ministers, Board of Trustees members, state party chairmen and members of the immediate past NWC had accompanied him to the secretariat in a show of solidarity.
He said the party remained focused on strengthening its internal structures and restoring unity following the expulsion of Samuel Anyanwu, the former national secretary, and other members aligned with the rival faction.
“The PDP must secure national cohesion if it is to return to power,” he said.
