The Peoples Democratic Party on Tuesday postponed its National Working Committee meeting after supporters of the rival Wike-led faction stormed the party’s national secretariat in Wuse, Abuja.

Addressing journalists at the party headquarters, PDP National Chairman Tanimu Turaki said the decision became necessary due to disruptions caused by what he described as opponents of the party’s leadership.

“Due to some incidents caused by those who are the enemies of progress, the enemies of democracy, we have decided to postpone this meeting till tomorrow,” Turaki said.

He spoke alongside Governors Seyi Makinde of Oyo and Bala Mohammed of Bauchi, who both expressed the faction’s commitment to maintaining peace and order within the party.

The postponement followed growing tensions between Turaki’s group and supporters of former Rivers State governor Nyesom Wike. The crisis deepened after Turaki emerged as PDP National Chairman at a disputed convention on Saturday, which the Wike-backed faction boycotted. Both factions had scheduled executive meetings for Tuesday, setting the stage for a confrontation.

By 9:45 am, supporters aligned with the Wike bloc, including women and youth groups, had taken control of the area around Wadata Plaza. They carried placards with inscriptions such as “No to Turaki” and “Turaki must go.” The faction was led to the secretariat by the sacked acting National Secretary, Samuel Anyanwu, accompanied by heavily armed police officers.

Turaki, however, said he had earlier briefed the Federal Capital Territory Commissioner of Police on the planned meeting and was assured of adequate security.

“I told the Commissioner of Police that we were coming today to have our inaugural NWC meeting, and that our leaders would be here to witness this historic moment. I also told him that we had seen flyers on social media purporting to announce NEC and BOT meetings by people who are no longer members of this party.

“He assured us that he would protect us and provide security for us to conduct our meeting,” he said, adding that the police kept their word by ensuring his team gained access to the secretariat.

The standoff underscores the deepening internal crisis within the PDP, which continues to wrestle with competing leadership claims and factional control of party structures.