The faction of the Peoples Democratic Party loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has taken control of the party’s national secretariat, Wadata Plaza, Abuja. The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the move occurred ahead of a parallel meeting scheduled for the same venue by another faction that held its national convention in Ibadan over the weekend.

The Taminu Turaki-led National Working Committee elected at the controversial Ibadan convention had fixed its inaugural meeting with party stakeholders for 10 a.m. at the national secretariat. At the same time, the Abdulrahman-led faction of the NWC convened emergency National Executive Committee and Board of Trustees meetings for 11 a.m. and 2 p.m., respectively, at the same location.

NAN reports that the factional National Chairman, Abdulrahman Mohammed, had already arrived at the secretariat building, which had previously been under lock and key. Armed security operatives were also deployed to the area, marking a significant escalation in the leadership tussle.

According to reports, personnel of the Mobile Police Force, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, and the Department of State Services were stationed at the entrance gates and other strategic points within the premises and surrounding areas. Security patrol vehicles were also positioned along adjoining roads to prevent any breakdown of law and order as the opposing PDP factions laid claim to offices in the complex.

Suspended National Secretary of the party, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, was seen inside the secretariat, where accreditation was ongoing ahead of their 103rd NEC meeting already in progress. The Turaki faction, however, had not yet arrived at the secretariat at the time of reporting.

Anti-Turaki protesters were also present at the scene, carrying placards with inscriptions such as “No to Turaki” and “Turaki must go,” while dancing to music provided by drummers nearby.

Speaking with journalists before the BoT meeting, Anyanwu described the heavy security presence as routine arrangements made whenever the party holds either a BoT or NEC meeting. He explained, “Anytime we’re having a BoT meeting or NEC meeting, we usually invite the security because of the people who are around, so they don’t embarrass our members.”

He added that formal letters requesting security coverage had been sent in advance. “Well, first of all, I wrote to all the security agencies on the 14th of November, 2025, that we are going to have a BoT at the NEC meeting, the largest NEC meeting here. I wrote to INEC as well.”

Anyanwu insisted he remained the legitimate National Secretary, stating, “I’m the National Secretary of the party. My office is still running until Dec. 8. So, undoubtedly, I’m doing my function.” He emphasized that since their meeting had already commenced, any group attempting to disrupt it would be considered intruders.

Responding to his reported suspension at the Ibadan convention, Anyanwu dismissed the development, arguing that no valid convention took place. “On what premise are you expelling us? What platform are you using to expel us? The convention that never held?” he asked.

He maintained that he had not communicated any convention notice to INEC, explaining, “Every communication to INEC for any congress/convention, I must sign it. I never communicated any letter to INEC for any convention. So, there was no convention. As a matter of fact, there was no convention anywhere.” He added that INEC did not monitor or supervise the Ibadan exercise, which he described as invalid.

Anyanwu further claimed that two-thirds of state delegates were absent from the convention. He alleged that “Even the 17 states they said came for that jamboree, we had people who were picked by the roadside and given PDP uniforms to occupy some state podiums.”

Social media activist Martins Otse, known as VeryDarkMan, and comedian Freedom Atsepoyi, popularly called Mr Jollof, may face criminal prosecution following their clash aboard a United Nigeria Airlines flight on Monday. The altercation caused commotion on the Asaba–Lagos flight after an argument between both men escalated into a physical fight.

A viral video showed crew members and passengers hurrying to intervene as the two men exchanged blows on the aircraft. Confirming the incident, Verydarkman posted a video on his Facebook page in which he claimed he had confronted Mr Jollof during the altercation. His post read, “I don chop Jollof father for inside the plane. He bite me, man, wey de bite,” insisting that he had engaged the comedian.

Although the cause of the altercation had yet to be determined, the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority condemned the conduct, stating that both men would face sanctions. In a post on X, the Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection at the NCAA, Michael Achimugu, said the behaviour of the two public figures violated aviation safety rules.

Achimugu wrote, “There is no tolerance for unruly behaviour aboard an aircraft. Both individuals will face the full strength of the law,” adding that their actions were “even more shameful” considering their roles in urging followers to behave responsibly. He added that the NCAA expected the airline to officially report the matter, after which legal and regulatory steps would commence.

He said the conduct of the two men endangered the safety of passengers, crew members, and the aircraft itself. He added that the regulator had repeatedly educated passengers about the dangers of unruly behaviour onboard aircraft. According to him, “In this case, no matter what led to the fracas, there is no excuse that makes it acceptable.”

Nigeria’s Civil Aviation Act, 2022, criminalises such actions. Section 84 stipulates that acts of violence on board an aircraft that could endanger its safety attract a minimum fine of N2 million or up to five years’ imprisonment or both. Section 85 adds that anyone who interferes with a crew member in a way that impedes duty performance may face a fine of up to N200,000 or a minimum of two months’ imprisonment, or both.

While the NCAA continues its assessment, VeryDarkMan and Mr Jollof are likely to face fines or jail terms. Meanwhile, United Nigeria Airlines said its crew intervened and immediately handed both men over to airport security after they were removed from the aircraft to maintain safety. This was disclosed in a statement on the airline’s official X account on Monday.

The statement read, “United Nigeria Airlines confirms that an altercation occurred between two passengers, identified as Martins Vincent Otse ‘VeryDarkman’ and Freedom Okpetoritse Atsepoyi ‘Mr. Jollof’, during the boarding of Flight UN0523 at Asaba International Airport on the morning of 17 November 2025.” The airline added that its crew responded promptly in line with global aviation safety protocols, deboarded both men, and handed them over to security officials for further investigation.

Reaffirming its safety policy, the airline stated that it maintains a zero-tolerance stance toward any conduct that threatens passenger or crew security. It noted that Flight UN0523 proceeded safely after standard procedures were completed, while the passengers involved in the altercation remained in the custody of authorities. The carrier assured travellers of its continued commitment to high operational standards.

The clash is believed to be an extension of weeks-long online hostilities between the two influencers. Incidents of unruly passenger behaviour, particularly physical altercations, have increased in the aviation sector in recent months, raising concerns among passengers and stakeholders who continue to call for deterrent measures.

Residents of Oremeji in the Shasha area of Alimosho Local Government, Lagos State, were thrown into panic on Sunday, November 9, after street urchins stabbed a Nigerian Air Force officer. Community members told PUNCH Metro during a visit on Saturday that the incident began following a confrontation between the officer—who was “not in uniform” at the time—and some boys at a football pitch.

A resident identified simply as Baba said trouble started when a ball being used during a football game hit the officer. According to him, “Some boys were playing football on Oremeji Street here in Shasha when the ball hit the man, who was not in uniform. Nobody knew he was an officer. He tried to seize the ball and beat the boy who kicked it.” Baba added that although people intervened and pleaded with him to calm down, the officer punched the boy, prompting others to restrain him.

Baba recounted that the officer pulled out a knife from his pocket after he noticed a crowd gathering. He said the officer stabbed the ball and then threatened to stab anyone who touched him. In the process, some of the boys trying to restrain him sustained injuries. A fight later broke out, and one of the boys managed to collect the knife and stabbed the officer. He added that the officer was rushed to a hospital, but residents initially heard that he did not survive.

Another resident, Sola, said Air Force personnel from the Shasha base stormed the area shortly after the incident. He alleged that some residents were beaten as the officers searched for the boy involved in the altercation and members of his family. He added that the area had remained tense and that the police had done little to calm the situation.

Residents further reported that the tension had spread to the Orisumbare area, causing business owners to close their shops earlier than usual out of fear of reprisals. A resident named Eniola said, “We have been living in fear since the incident happened, and shop owners now close much earlier than expected. And this was after the air force officers came on the second and third day to assault and pick people up randomly.” She added that those involved in the stabbing had fled the community, leaving innocent people affected.

Another resident, Esther Komolafe, said military operatives fired tear gas during a reprisal the following day. She explained that she was driving along the route when she saw people running. According to her, “We got closer to the exact spot before we realised that the air force officers had fired teargas. As I speak to you, the area is still tense, and we no longer take the route once it is evening.”

Contrary to claims by some residents that the officer had died, spokesperson for the Lagos State Police Command, Abimbola Adebisi, said the officer was alive. Adebisi explained, “There was a fight between some individuals, and after the fight, they realised that the injured person happened to be an Air Force officer. He was only injured; nobody died.” She noted that although the case was not formally reported to the police, the Divisional Police Officer visited the scene, identified the injured officer and confirmed he had received treatment.

Addressing allegations of harassment by Air Force personnel, Adebisi said, “The claim that Air Force officers have been disturbing people is not true. There is nothing like that.” She added that when some of the officer’s colleagues attempted to retaliate on Wednesday, the DPO and community leaders intervened, and the issue was resolved. She said a round-table discussion involving the Air Force commandant also contributed to restoring calm.

Efforts to obtain comments from the spokesperson for the Nigerian Air Force, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, were unsuccessful as calls to his phone were unanswered and WhatsApp messages had not received replies at the time of filing the report. The incident adds to a history of violent clashes between civilians and military personnel, including a 2021 case in Oshodi where officers stormed the area “to avenge the death of an officer of the Nigerian Air Force, who was allegedly mobbed to death by hoodlums.”

Credit: The Punch