The Federal Capital Territory Police Command is preparing a security deployment to prevent a possible confrontation between rival factions of the Peoples Democratic Party ahead of Monday’s proposed reopening of the party’s national secretariat in Abuja.
Senior officers said on Sunday that although the command had not received an official notification about the planned reopening, it would position personnel to forestall any breakdown of law and order.
Tension within the party has intensified following moves by the Abdulrahman Mohammed-led caretaker committee to resume activities at the sealed Wadata Plaza headquarters. The facility was shut on November 19, 2025 after a violent confrontation between supporters of the Tanimu Turaki-led National Working Committee and the Mohammed-led caretaker group.
The acting National Secretary of the caretaker committee, Samuel Anyanwu, had announced on Thursday that the secretariat would reopen on Monday, insisting there were no legal barriers preventing the resumption of operations.
However, the National Publicity Secretary of the Turaki-led executive, Ini Ememobong, rejected Anyanwu’s claims to party leadership, maintaining that he and his associates had been expelled and could not lawfully convene meetings.
Ememobong said the party had formally written to the Inspector-General of Police and the FCT Commissioner of Police, noting that ownership and control of the secretariat remain the subject of litigation at the Federal High Court and the Court of Appeal in Abuja. He argued that any attempt to occupy the property before a court ruling would amount to self-help and undermine due process, warning that granting access could constitute contempt of court.
Sources within the FCT command said officers would be stationed around the secretariat and other key points to deter unrest. One senior officer, speaking anonymously, said the police would not allow any group to disrupt public peace, adding that personnel would be on the ground as a precaution.
Another officer confirmed that security presence would be strengthened in the area, recalling that previous clashes required police intervention to restore calm.
When contacted, the FCT Police spokesperson, Josephine Adeh, said she had not yet been briefed on the reopening plan and declined further comment. She acknowledged that the police had earlier sealed the premises but did not state whether a formal deployment order had been issued.
