The Abuja Police Command has announced plans to deploy personnel at the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) secretariat and surrounding areas to prevent potential clashes as the party prepares for the controversial reopening of its headquarters.
The Acting National Secretary of the PDP caretaker committee, Samuel Anyanwu, stated on Thursday that the secretariat would reopen on Monday, dismissing claims of legal restrictions on resuming party activities.
However, the National Publicity Secretary of the Tanimu Turaki-led National Working Committee (NWC), Ini Ememobong, refuted Anyanwu’s claims, insisting that he and other expelled members remain ousted from the party.
“They are living in fool’s paradise. The worst form of deceit is self-deceit, where a person knows he is deceiving himself yet continues with gusto. That is exactly what is happening here. These expelled members cannot organise any valid meeting, let alone a convention,” Ememobong said.
He further noted that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has denied recognition of Anyanwu’s faction. According to Ememobong, the party has formally written to the Inspector-General of Police and the FCT Commissioner of Police, emphasizing that the secretariat is still under legal dispute before the Federal High Court and the Court of Appeal.
“To enter and occupy this property now would amount to self-help and a violation of established legal principles. The case pending before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik involves the expelled members themselves, and they cannot bypass the court’s judgment,” he added.
Police sources confirmed that officers would be stationed at the secretariat and other strategic points to maintain law and order. A senior officer, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said, “The command will not stand by and allow a breakdown of peace and order. Officers will be on the ground to prevent any incidents.”
Another source noted, “During the last unrest in the area, our intervention was required to restore order. There will definitely be police present at the secretariat, though I cannot confirm the exact number.”
When contacted, the FCT Police spokesperson, Josephine Adeh, said she had not been briefed on the planned reopening and declined to comment on the possible deployment of officers.
The situation remains tense as the PDP’s internal leadership struggle continues to unfold, with security authorities preparing to prevent any outbreak of violence.
