PDP Members Stand Defiant as Sealed Headquarters Ignites Democratic Concerns
ABUJA A sense of defiance and frustration hung heavy outside the sealed gates of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) national secretariat on Monday, as staff, supporters, and party leaders gathered in protest after the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) abruptly shut down their offices. The move, denounced as a politically motivated attack, has left dozens of employees locked out and sparked fears of escalating tensions under Nigeria’s current administration.
“This isn’t just about a building it’s about silencing voices,” said Aisha Mohammed, a PDP administrative officer who arrived at work to find the doors chained. “We have families to support, bills to pay. But more than that, we have a duty to defend democracy.”
The PDP’s acting National Chairman, Umar Damagum, stood flanked by party members and journalists, his voice trembling with anger as he condemned the sealing as the “highest form of irresponsibility” by President Bola Tinubu’s government. “They can arrest all of us if they want,” he declared, met with cheers from the crowd. “But we will not surrender our right to exist as an opposition party. This is not just our fight it’s a fight for every Nigerian who believes in democracy.”
The closure has deepened anxieties among opposition supporters, many of whom see it as part of a broader pattern of intimidation. “First, they target our offices. What next? Our homes?” asked Chidi Nwankwo, a local trader and PDP volunteer. “If they can shut down a major party’s headquarters, what stops them from crushing ordinary citizens?”
Political analyst Dr. Fatima Okoye warned the move risks eroding public trust. “Democracy thrives on dissent,” she said. “When opposition spaces are threatened, it’s not just politicians who suffer it’s every citizen whose voice is sidelined.”
Inside the party, resolve appears unshaken. Despite the adjournment of their caucus meeting to Tuesday, members like youth leader Emeka vowed resistance. “We’ll meet in the streets if we have to,” he said. “This isn’t about PDP alone. It’s about ensuring our children inherit a Nigeria where their voices matter.”
As the sun set on the sealed complex, cleaners, drivers, and junior staff lingered outside, unsure when they might return to work. “This is how it starts,” muttered security guard Yusuf Bello. “But we’ve seen this before. Nigerians know how to fight back.”
The Tinubu administration has yet to comment on the allegations. For now, the PDP’s next steps and the government’s response could determine whether this clash becomes a footnote or a turning point in Nigeria’s fragile democratic journey.
Today,PDP leaders are expected to outline their strategy after Tuesday’s critical meeting, as supporters nationwide watch and wait for what comes next.
