Operations at the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) National Secretariat were brought to a halt on Monday, as staff staged a mass walkout in protest against Senator Samuel Anyanwu’s attempt to reclaim his position as National Secretary.
The protest followed the appointment of Setonji Koshoedo as acting National Secretary by the party’s National Working Committee (NWC), a decision the staff had earlier pledged to support.
According to sources who spoke with Vanguard In Abuja, Anyanwu arrived at the secretariat with suspected thugs and forcefully made his way into the office of the national secretary.
Staff members, unwilling to acknowledge or work with him, responded by immediately vacating their offices in protest, effectively leaving the building deserted.
“Anyanwu and his people entered the building. It wasn’t just an attempt, they actually went straight into the national secretary’s office with some of his aides,” one protesting staff member said.
As the standoff unfolded, Anyanwu was left stranded, with no one from the workforce to engage or support him. Sources say he was eventually persuaded by his aides to leave the premises quietly to avoid further embarrassment.
“We had all left our offices and walked out in protest. That firm action led to his exit,” another staff source disclosed.
The walkout, seen as an expression of solidarity with the NWC, also reignited existing tensions within the PDP. Staff say their actions were consistent with their commitment made in May to back Koshoedo’s appointment, which they believe followed the party’s laid-down procedures.
Some members within the secretariat have accused Anyanwu of being a “mole” planted by the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to destabilise the party ahead of the 2027 general elections, though these claims remain unverified.
“When he realised the atmosphere was hostile and there was no one left to work with, apart from the few people he came with, his aides advised him to leave, rather than remain in such an awkward situation,” a staff member added.
The incident has raised fresh concerns over the PDP’s internal cohesion and readiness for upcoming national elections. If not swiftly handled, some party members fear that it may weaken their stance in the upcoming elections.
The PDP leadership has yet to issue an official statement regarding the incident.
