Fresh tension has gripped the Peoples Democratic Party as two rival factions prepare to converge today on the party’s national secretariat, Wadata Plaza, Abuja.
The development followed the intensifying struggle between the groups for control of the headquarters, raising fears of a confrontation.
On Monday, the faction led by former Minister of Special Duties, Kabiru Tanimu Turaki, and the group of recently expelled party members loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, both scheduled separate meetings for the same venue.
Members of the Wike-aligned faction had earlier announced an emergency meeting to be held at the National Executive Council Hall of the secretariat.
The move was confirmed by the factional National Secretary, Samuel Anyanwu, who announced the gathering less than two days after their expulsion.
But in a swift counteraction, Turaki, newly elected National Chairman of the party at the Ibadan national convention, declared that his team would also be meeting in the same hall.
Turaki, who addressed reporters on Monday after submitting a petition against the expelled members at the Police Headquarters in Garki, insisted the meeting would go ahead as planned.
According to him, the party “will hold its inaugural National Executive meeting tomorrow, November 18, at the party’s national secretariat, Wadata Plaza, Abuja”.
He vowed that “nothing will stop him and his colleagues from meeting tomorrow at the office”.