Chaos In Abuja As Ex-Governor Ortom Forced Out Of PDP Meeting Amid Power Struggle

According to Ireporter Online, tension erupted at the national headquarters of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Abuja on Tuesday when former Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom, was reportedly ushered out of the National Executive Committee (NEC) Hall during a press briefing addressed by Governors Seyi Makinde of Oyo State and Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State. A video circulating on social media captured the heated moment in which voices were heard shouting, “Let him out, who is he? This is not your PDP,” as Ortom stepped into the hall amid the intensifying struggle for influence within the opposition party.

The incident underscores the widening rift between contending factions vying for control of the PDP. Information obtained by Ireporter Online indicates that the clash followed attempts by opposing groups to convene separate meetings at the party’s Wadata Plaza headquarters. Both the National Working Committee elected in Ibadan and the faction aligned with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, had scheduled activities for the same day.

Members of the pro-Wike camp, led by National Secretary Samuel Anyanwu, arrived at the secretariat earlier in the day, but a confrontation reportedly broke out shortly after, leading to their forceful removal from the premises. Despite escalating security concerns and mounting tension, Governors Makinde and Bala Mohammed, accompanied by newly elected PDP National Chairman Taminu Turaki, gained access to the NEC Hall to conduct their session.

Speaking to journalists after the meeting, the leaders reaffirmed that officials elected at the Ibadan convention remain the rightful holders of the party’s leadership positions. Turaki condemned the unrest at the party office, alleging that a serving federal minister deployed thugs, with the support of certain security personnel, to destabilise lawful political activities. He described the development as a direct attack on democratic standards and issued an unusual appeal to the international community, including U.S. President Donald Trump, insisting that Nigeria’s democracy is facing serious threats. Turaki added that committed party members were prepared to defend the mandate conferred on them at the convention.