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| Tear gas. |
There was widespread confusion at the national headquarters of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Abuja on Tuesday after police officers used tear gas to disperse supporters of opposing factions who had clashed within the premises.
Trouble began when two rival groups — the faction supported by Nyesom Wike and the newly formed National Working Committee, NWC, led by Kabiru Turaki — arranged separate meetings at the Wadata Plaza headquarters on the same day.
The situation grew tense shortly after Samuel Anyanwu, national secretary of the Wike-backed faction, arrived at the location with his group for their planned Board of Trustees (BoT) and National Executive Committee (NEC) meetings.
As supporters exchanged angry words and physical altercations started, police officers found it difficult to keep the crowd under control.
At a certain stage, officers instructed everyone — including senior party members — to leave the premises.
When the disorder intensified, the police released teargas canisters, prompting politicians, party members, employees, and journalists to run for safety. The sudden burst of teargas caused a chaotic stampede, with many people seen coughing, covering their faces, and rushing into nearby streets.
Outside the headquarters, supporters from both groups held cudgels and other objects as confrontations continued.
Additional police officers were later deployed to restore order around the secretariat, but tension remained as both factions continued to accuse each other of triggering the violence.
Below are images from the scene:
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