A dramatic scene unfolded at the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) national headquarters in Abuja on Tuesday, November 18, as former Benue State governor Samuel Ortom was asked to vacate the premises amid a takeover by a faction aligned with Governors Seyi Makinde of Oyo State and Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State.
Eyewitnesses reported that tensions escalated rapidly when some party members confronted Ortom—an ally of FCT Minister Nyesom Wike—accusing him of having no standing within the newly dominant faction. Several individuals were heard shouting, “Leave here! This is not your PDP!” as the situation grew heated.
Security and party officials intervened and escorted Ortom out of the building to prevent further disruption. The standoff happened just minutes before Governors Makinde and Bala Mohammed addressed the media, marking a significant show of force by their bloc within the party’s ongoing internal crisis.
The confrontation underscores a widening rift within the PDP, as rival power centres vie for influence ahead of crucial national decisions and restructuring efforts. Analysts note that the removal of a former governor from the secretariat signals the intensity of the power struggle, with implications for the party’s unity and future leadership direction.
The Makinde–Bala faction is expected to intensify its push for control of party structures, while allies of Wike and Ortom may challenge the takeover in the coming days, deepening uncertainties surrounding the PDP’s internal cohesion.
Source:Africa Publicity
