By Gimbiya Ladan AWC Political Desk, Abuja
The national headquarters of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), popularly known as Wadata House, was on Tuesday placed under heavy security lockdown in what appears to be the latest escalation of the party’s intensifying internal crisis.
Once the commanding nerve centre of Nigeria’s largest political organisation—an institution that produced presidents, governors, and federal lawmakers for sixteen uninterrupted years—Wadata House now sits silent, sealed, and heavily barricaded, symbolizing the depth of factional strife tearing through the opposition party.
Police Seal Off Complex, Barricade Access Lanes
As early as 6:00am, residents and commuters around the Wuse Zone 5 area woke to an unusual sight: dozens of armed police officers, patrol vans, anti-riot vehicles, and security barriers strategically positioned around the PDP Secretariat.
AWC correspondent that surveyed the area observed that a long stretch of the lane directly in front of the building was sealed off with thick security wires and barriers, forcing pedestrians and motorists to divert to a single alternative lane that remained open.
AWC correspondent also observed that all gates leading into Wadata House were locked, with stern-looking officers restricting access and turning back party members and staff who attempted to enter the premises.
No official statement was issued by the police at the time of filing this report, but security sources hinted at an order arising from fears of a possible further escalation of clash between rival factions within the PDP over leadership control.
A Once Powerful Nerve Centre Now Under Siege
For many Nigerians, the dramatic sealing of the PDP headquarters is both symbolic and haunting.
Once the epicentre of national politics, where presidents were produced and national policies debated, Wadata House now appears reduced to a theatre of crisis—struggling under the weight of internal schisms, court battles, and parallel factions laying claim to legitimacy.
Political analysts say the sight of the building under lock and key is a powerful metaphor for the party’s ongoing implosion.
“This is not just physical closure—this is a collapse of political influence,”
said political analyst.
“The PDP that once controlled 28 states is now struggling to manage internal democracy.”
Power Tussle and Factional Wars
The party is currently engulfed in fierce internal conflict, with allegations of parallel National Working Committees, suspended officers, and state-level factions threatening to splinter the organization.
AWC gathered that recent meetings by rival blocs—each claiming rightful leadership—prompted heightened security concerns, leading authorities to move swiftly to prevent a potential breakdown of law and order around the Secretariat.
Party insiders confided that both camps had mobilized supporters to storm the headquarters before security operatives intervened.
Business Halted, Staff Shut Out
Employees arriving for work were shocked to find all entry points sealed.
One staff member told AWC:
“We were not informed about any closure. The police just told us to go back. They said the building is under security lockdown.”
The closure has brought official activities at the headquarters to a halt, including scheduled internal meetings and administrative functions.
Public Reaction and Implications
Images and videos showing the barricaded Secretariat have triggered mixed reactions nationwide, with many expressing disappointment that a major opposition party could descend into such turmoil.
Some citizens described the scene as the “lowest point” in the history of the PDP since its founding in 1998.
Governance analysts warn that the crisis further weakens Nigeria’s democratic landscape at a time opposition accountability is needed more than ever.
“A democracy is only as strong as its opposition,”
noted AN analyst.
“If the PDP continues on this path, the ruling party risks operating without effective scrutiny.”
What Next for the PDP?
While party elders are reportedly working behind the scenes to mediate the crisis, the path to reconciliation remains unclear. With the Secretariat under lock and key and factions unwilling to shift ground, the days ahead may determine whether the PDP can regain stability or slide into further fragmentation.
AWC will continue to closely monitor the situation and provide updates as events unfold.
— AWC Political Desk, Abuja
