By Ayomide Otitoju
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has filed a formal petition to the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, accusing its suspended National Secretary, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, of leading an armed invasion of the party’s national secretariat in Abuja in an alleged attempt to install an acting national chairman.
The petition, signed by Acting National Chairman Umar Damagum, alleged that the incident occurred on Monday, November 3, 2025, and involved armed thugs reportedly mobilized by Anyanwu and his associates, including suspended Deputy National Legal Adviser Barr. Okechukwu Osuoha and National Vice Chairman (North Central) Mohammed Abdulrahman.
According to the petition, the attackers stormed the secretariat wielding guns, knives, cutlasses, and sticks, and fired tear gas to disperse staff and journalists. At least three staff members—Mr. Terna Tergba, Mrs. Cecilia Ukwayi, and Innocent Ezekiel—were hospitalized for injuries, while a female employee was reportedly resuscitated after exposure to tear gas.
The PDP claimed that the group’s objective was to forcibly install Abdulrahman as acting national chairman, adding that the assailants threatened members of the National Working Committee (NWC). Witnesses allegedly overheard Anyanwu in a phone conversation with the FCT Police Commissioner, boasting of backing from the FCT Minister and police authorities.
The party also accused the FCT Police Commissioner of failing to act during the invasion, alleging that police officers on site aided in dispersing staff instead of stopping the attackers.
In the petition, Damagum urged the IGP to investigate and hold Anyanwu, Abdulrahman, the FCT Minister, and the FCT Police Commissioner accountable for assault, threats to life, and disruption of lawful party operations. He described the incident as a serious breach of peace and an attack on democratic governance, adding that the petition was supported with photographic and video evidence.
Meanwhile, there was heavy security presence at the PDP national headquarters on Monday as former North Central Vice Chairman, Abdulrahman Mohammed, assumed office as acting national chairman. His appointment followed a declaration by the Anyanwu-led faction of the NWC after suspending Umar Damagum and National Publicity Secretary Debo Ologunagba.
The party’s leadership crisis deepened over the weekend as Damagum’s faction of the NWC announced the suspension of Anyanwu, National Organising Secretary Umar Bature, and other senior officials. In retaliation, the Anyanwu-led group countered by suspending Damagum, Ologunagba, and four other NWC members, escalating the internal feud.
As of Monday, Abdulrahman Mohammed and his faction had taken control of the secretariat, while Damagum and his loyalists were notably absent from the premises.
