A palpable sense of outrage swept through the ranks of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governors on Monday after security operatives abruptly blocked access to the party’s National Secretariat at Wadata Plaza. This unexpected move forced the relocation of a critical Board of Trustees (BoT) meeting, which had to be hastily moved to the Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Centre in Abuja’s bustling Central Business District. You could really feel the tension, honestly.
The blockade, reportedly carried out by security agents on what were described as ‘orders from above,’ directly prevented BoT members from accessing the crucial National Executive Committee (NEC) hall. This action quickly triggered accusations of blatant political interference, with many pointing fingers squarely at the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). It’s quite a situation when an opposition party can't even freely hold its internal meetings, isn’t it?
The PDP BoT didn't hold back, describing the incident as an act of outright harassment and a deliberate attempt, they said, to sabotage its internal reconciliation efforts. This whole affair comes amid growing tensions over the party’s leadership crisis and existing factional divisions, making the timing frankly quite suspicious. Despite the initial disruption, the BoT meeting did go ahead at the alternative venue, quickly moving into a closed-door session shortly after.
Before the meeting began, both BoT Chairman Senator Adolphus Wabara and Secretary Senator Ahmed Makarfi briefly addressed the media. Their deep frustration was pretty evident as they underscored the pressing urgency of unity within the party. Makarfi recounted his morning, explaining he’d initially arrived at the Bauchi Governor’s Lodge for a pre-meeting involving governors, National Working Committee members, and minority leaders of the National Assembly.
“I arrived at 10:00 AM at the Bauchi Governor’s Lodge as instructed,” Makarfi detailed. He went on to say the pre-meeting's purpose “was to bridge gaps within the party, ensuring we could convene as a united front at the planned NEC meeting rather than emerging divided.” The governors, he confirmed, “were visibly upset and questioned why such an embarrassment had occurred.” By then, Makarfi added, “the Chairman had already made alternative arrangements, which is why it was decided to hold the meeting here to avoid further issues.” He didn't just stop there, though; Makarfi unequivocally condemned the interference, issuing a stern warning that such actions pose a grave threat to Nigeria’s democracy itself. "This kind of interference is unacceptable. It undermines our democracy and the rights of opposition parties to operate freely. We will not be deterred; we remain committed to resolving our internal issues and presenting a strong, united front to the Nigerian people,” he asserted, making his stance very clear.
Senator Wabara, in his own remarks, didn’t hold back either, labeling the blockade as a clear affront to both the PDP and the entire democratic process. He described his personal experience at the scene: “This morning, I nearly stepped out of my car when I witnessed the treatment of some individuals. I told my driver, ‘No, move,’ as it was deeply embarrassing.” Yet, despite his visible chagrin, Wabara urged everyone to remain patient. “We must not allow this provocation to distract us from our mission to rebuild and strengthen our party,” he stressed, showing remarkable composure.
Wabara also made sure to emphasize the historical significance of the meeting and the paramount importance of transparency in party proceedings, even under duress. “Let me emphasise that this is a particularly special BoT meeting. I want it on record that it remains our 80th BoT meeting. We will proceed accordingly so that, in the future, when questions arise, people will understand the extraordinary circumstances under which it was held,” he explained. He then added, quite definitively, “Despite the challenges, we are determined to uphold the principles of democracy and ensure that the PDP remains a viable alternative for Nigerians.” As the meeting finally got underway, Wabara made a polite, but firm, request for the press to respect the confidentiality of the session. “I kindly ask the press to begin moving downstairs, as there will be no communiqué issued after this meeting. Please clear the house. We appreciate your understanding as we navigate these difficult times,” he concluded.
The very public blockade and the subsequent relocation of the BoT meeting dramatically highlight the mounting pressure currently facing the PDP. The party is trying to resolve its deep-seated internal disputes while simultaneously fending off what they claim is external interference. This entire incident unfolded just hours before the party’s highly anticipated 100th NEC meeting, further intensifying the stakes in what continues to be a very complex and public leadership crisis.
