There was confusion at the national headquarters of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Abuja on Tuesday after police officers released tear gas to break up fighting supporters belonging to rival factions within the party.
Tensions flared when two competing groups — the faction backed by Nyesom Wike and the newly-formed National Working Committee, NWC, led by Kabiru Turaki — fixed separate meetings at the Wadata Plaza headquarters on the same date.
The situation intensified shortly after Samuel Anyanwu, national secretary of the Wike-aligned group, arrived at the complex with members of his faction for their scheduled Board of Trustees, BoT, and National Executive Committee, NEC, meetings.
As supporters traded harsh words and physical confrontations began, police struggled to keep the situation under control.
At a point, officers instructed everyone — including senior party figures — to leave the premises.
When the chaos escalated further, the police fired teargas canisters, forcing politicians, party supporters, employees, and journalists to run for safety. The sudden release of teargas caused a frantic stampede, with many people seen coughing, covering their faces, and rushing towards nearby streets.
Outside the secretariat, supporters from both sides held cudgels and various objects as clashes intensified.
Additional police teams were later deployed to bring the area under control, although tension remained high as both factions continued to blame each other for the outbreak of violence.
Below are more images from the incident:
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