Amid deepening internal crisis, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has abruptly changed the venue of its Board of Trustees (BoT) meeting following the takeover of its National Secretariat in Abuja by heavily armed police officers.

The party made the announcement early Monday through its official social media platforms, directing BoT members to reconvene at the Yar’Adua Center in the Central Business District of Abuja.

 “Special Announcement!

Change of Venue for the PDP Board of Trustees (BoT) Meeting.

The Meeting of the Board of Trustees (BoT) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), earlier scheduled to hold by 10 a.m. at the Party’s National Secretariat in Abuja, has been moved to Yar’Adua Center.

All BoT members are by this notice advised to proceed to the new venue.

— Signed: Management”

The sudden change comes amid rising tension, with videos circulating online showing PDP staff and officials allegedly manhandled by security agents at Wadata Plaza, the party's headquarters.

The incident has added fresh uncertainty to the party’s 100th National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting, already mired in controversy due to ongoing leadership tussles within the National Working Committee (NWC).

The Umar Damagum-led faction, which claims legitimate control of the party, insists that the NEC meeting has been postponed. However, the opposing camp, loyal to Deputy National Chairman (South), Taofeek Arapaja, maintains that the meeting will go ahead as scheduled.

To complicate matters, both factions have announced overlapping meetings for today:

Damagum’s group plans to hold an expanded caucus meeting at 1 p.m, while Arapaja’s camp insists the NEC meeting will begin at 2 p.m.

The leadership dispute also centers around the status of Senator Samuel Anyanwu, whose recall as National Secretary was recently announced by the Damagum-led group. The Arapaja faction, however, has rejected the move, insisting Anyanwu remains in office.

Observers say the outcome of today's events could be pivotal to the future unity and credibility of Nigeria’s main opposition party as it prepares for future elections.