Video: Moment Turaki, Bala Mohammed and Makinde Chased Ortom Out of PDP Secretariat

A tense confrontation unfolded at the Abuja headquarters of the Peoples Democratic Party on Tuesday when former Benue governor Samuel Ortom was escorted out of the party’s National Executive Committee hall during a briefing led by PDP National Chairman Taminu Turaki, Oyo governor Seyi Makinde and Bauchi governor Bala Mohammed.

A video from the scene captured raised voices ordering Ortom to leave as he attempted to enter the hall, highlighting the deepening internal struggle between rival blocs wrestling for control of the party’s structure.

The clash followed earlier attempts by opposing factions to hold parallel meetings at the Wadata Plaza secretariat. The National Working Committee elected in Ibadan and the faction aligned with FCT Minister Nyesom Wike both scheduled activities for the same day, setting off confrontations even before proceedings began.

Members of the pro-Wike camp, led by National Secretary Samuel Anyanwu, arrived at the secretariat in the morning but were later forced out after a fight broke out within the premises.

Turaki, Makinde and Bala Mohammed eventually gained access to the NEC hall, where they held their session under tight security. Speaking to journalists afterward, Turaki accused a serving minister of deploying thugs with the support of security operatives to obstruct activities at the secretariat.

He said the situation signaled a growing threat to democratic processes in the country and called on international partners, including U.S. President Donald Trump, to closely watch developments. Turaki added that party members were determined to protect their mandate and urged stakeholders to remain alert as tensions within the PDP continue to escalate.