A scheduled meeting of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Board of Trustees (BoT) was on Monday abruptly relocated from the party’s national headquarters following a surprise security lockdown by armed police operatives.
The PDP, Nigeria’s main opposition party, announced that the BoT meeting—initially set for 10 a.m. at Wadata Plaza in Abuja’s Wuse Zone 5—would now take place at the Yar’Adua Centre in the Central Business District. The party did not offer an official reason for the change but cited “emerging developments” in a brief statement.
The abrupt decision followed heavy police deployment around the secretariat early Monday, with officers reportedly barricading the premises and turning away top party figures and staff. Witnesses told journalists that armed personnel sealed off entry points and restricted movement along Dalaba Street, the access route to the party’s headquarters.
Among those denied entry was BoT member and party chieftain Maina Chiroma, as tensions flared over what party officials described as a deliberate attempt to derail scheduled meetings. Former PDP National Secretary Umar Tsauri confirmed the incident, attributing the security action to an “order from above.”
The BoT session was expected to precede an expanded caucus meeting and the National Executive Committee (NEC) gathering—two pivotal events as the PDP grapples with internal leadership disputes and prepares for the 2027 general elections.
Although some staff members initially gained access to the secretariat, they were later instructed to vacate the premises. Journalists assigned to cover party activities were also ordered to leave the area.
In a swift response to mounting criticism and speculation of political interference, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command denied sealing off the PDP Secretariat. In a statement issued by the Command’s Public Relations Officer, SP Josephine Adeh, the police described circulating reports as “false and misleading.”
“The Command wishes to clarify that officers were only deployed to maintain law and order,” the statement said. “At no point was the PDP Secretariat sealed.”
SP Adeh emphasized that the deployment was routine and in line with constitutional responsibilities to ensure public safety, particularly during politically sensitive gatherings. She urged media outlets to verify information through official channels before publication.
Despite the clarification, the incident has raised renewed concerns over state interference in opposition party affairs, particularly in the buildup to a heated election cycle.
The rescheduled BoT meeting is expected to continue as planned at the new venue, where discussions on internal cohesion, electoral strategy, and crisis resolution are anticipated to dominate the agenda.