A faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), led by Kabiru Turaki (SAN), has initiated legal proceedings against the Inspector-General of Police, demanding the immediate reopening of the party’s national secretariat and other offices across Nigeria. The group filed a motion at the Federal High Court in Abuja, seeking a court order to compel the Nigeria Police Force to remove all barricades and vacate the premises.
This legal action follows the sealing of the PDP’s national headquarters in November, a move that occurred after violent clashes between two rival factions. The confrontation reportedly stemmed from both factions scheduling meetings at the party headquarters on the same day, leading to police intervention and the subsequent lockdown of the building.
The plaintiffs, represented by Chief Chris Uche (SAN), are seeking a mandatory injunction for the removal of police barricades and a withdrawal from the party’s national headquarters. The sealing of the secretariat has effectively prevented the Turaki-led National Working Committee from holding its postponed inaugural meeting.
Turaki was elected national chairman at a PDP convention held in Ibadan, Oyo State, in November. However, this convention faced opposition from a faction aligned with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, who argued it violated existing court orders. Earlier court rulings had indeed restrained the PDP from holding its national convention.
The lawsuit, filed as FHC/ABJ/CS/252/2025, names the PDP, Turaki, and Chairman of its Board of Trustees, Adolphus Wabara, as plaintiffs. They are asking the court to prevent the police from entering or restricting access to any PDP office nationwide.
An affidavit supporting the motion, deposed by PDP National Secretary Taofik Arapaja, alleges that police invaded and sealed the offices on November 18, 2025, without legal justification. Arapaja claims the party had only notified security agencies of an emergency meeting and requested protection, not an invasion.
According to the affidavit, police officers, led by the FCT Commissioner of Police, deployed over 200 tear gas canisters and sealed the premises, denying access to officials, staff, and visiting governors. This action has significantly disrupted the party’s administrative functions, policy-making, and election preparations.
The plaintiffs argue that the Nigeria Police Force, as a statutory body, should not act in a partisan manner. They contend that the balance of convenience favors the PDP and that monetary compensation would not adequately address the harm caused by the continued sealing of their offices.
The PDP faction is urging the court to grant their application, asserting that such a decision would serve the interests of justice and prevent the police’s actions from being perceived as court-sanctioned.
This legal battle highlights the ongoing internal divisions within the PDP and the significant impact these disputes are having on the party’s operational capacity and public image. The outcome of the court case is expected to have considerable implications for the PDP’s leadership and its ability to function effectively.
