By Myke Uzendu
The caretaker National Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has disclosed that the National Secretariat of the main opposition party (Wadata Plaza) will be reopened on Monday.
The secretariat was shut down by the Nigerian Police in November following a clash over control of the secretariat by the Nyesom Wike group led by Hon. Abdurahman Mohammed with those loyal to the Oyo State governor, Seyi Makinde led by Tanimu Turaki (SAN).
Addressing journalists after a meeting for the leadership of political parties organized by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Thursday in Abuja, Anyanwu reiterated that the PDP is one family, adding that the recognition of his group by the electoral body validates all the activities the group has been executing since the crisis that factionalized the opposition party.
Anyanwu called on party supporters to remain calm and continue to trust the leadership of the party for proper direction.
He said, “Nigerians are aware. Yes, we have issues but last week Friday, a Federal High Court in Nigeria made it very clear that the problem of the PDP was the so-called convention of November 15th – 16th, 2025 and that no other person should parade himself as the leader of the party but Hon. Abdulrahman Mohammed and that he has the full powers to speak for the party. And that the only group authorized to work for the party is the National Work Committee led by Mohammed”.
The senator expressed optimism that the national secretariat of the party will be reopened on Monday.
He said, “Remember that police sealed the place. And then, the other group went to court to ask police to open and the matter was in the court because they have no locals. So, by Monday, we will take over the office”.
Meanwhile the Turaki-led group had said that there is no cause for alarm following the invitation of the Wike group by INEC to a meeting of political parties.
In a statement signed by the its National Publicity Secretary Comrade Ini Ememobong the group said,
“We are aware that the Independent National Electoral Commission invited the leaders of political parties to a meeting today and extended the invitation to some former members of our party who are purporting to lead a so-called National Caretaker Committee, to represent our party, whereas there is no such provision in our constitution.
“This action, though ordinarily vexatious and capable of causing widespread breach of peace, will be met with all possible legal response. Though not unexpected of this current INEC leadership, but it is expected that an impartial umpire would have taken notice of the pendency of the matters in the Court of Appeal (including the judgment which they are relying upon),which when decided, will effectively affect the subject under consideration; and exercised restraint, therefrom. We can assure that INEC will not choose a leadership for our party.
“Consequently, we urge all our members to remain calm and hopeful that soonest the Court of Appeal will hear and determine all the cases concerning the leadership of our party. We assure that the Rebirth movement of our party, under the able leadership of Kabiru Tanimu Turaki, SAN is steady and secure, and will ultimately surmount all these challenges, to present a stronger and more united party to Nigerians, as a credible alternative to the ruling party that has brought untold sorrows, tears and blood to Nigerians”.
