In a statement released on Monday, the PDP disclosed that the BoT meeting, earlier slated for 10 a.m., will now take place at the Yar’Adua Centre, located in the Central Business District of Abuja.

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has announced a change of venue for its crucial Board of Trustees (BoT) meeting, initially scheduled to be held at the party’s National Secretariat in Wuse Zone 5, Abuja.

In a statement released on Monday, the PDP disclosed that the BoT meeting, earlier slated for 10 a.m., will now take place at the Yar’Adua Centre, located in the Central Business District of Abuja.

While the party did not provide specific reasons for the sudden change of venue, the decision comes amid heightened political activities and reports of increased security presence around the PDP National Secretariat earlier in the day.

The BoT meeting is expected to address key internal matters within the party as it strategises ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The PDP urged all invited members to take note of the new venue to ensure smooth proceedings.

“The meeting of the Board of Trustees (BoT) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), @OfficialPDPNig, earlier scheduled to hold at 10 a.m. at the Party’s National Secretariat in Abuja, has been moved to the Yar’Adua Center, Central Business District, Abuja.

“All BoT members are by this notice advised to proceed to the new venue,” the statement added.

Armed policemen on Monday took over Wadata Plaza, the national headquarters of the party in Abuja, effectively disrupting planned high-level meetings of the country’s main opposition party.

The police blockade prevented key members of the PDP’s Board of Trustees (BoT), including prominent figure Maina Chiroma, from gaining access to the secretariat premises.

The BoT was scheduled to convene ahead of a much-anticipated National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting and an expanded caucus session, gatherings seen as crucial amid ongoing internal leadership disputes and preparations for the upcoming elections.

Confirming the incident, former PDP National Secretary Umar Tsauri told journalists that security operatives acted on an “order from above.”

Eyewitnesses reported a heavy security presence, with armed policemen stationed at all entrances to the NEC hall, firmly restricting entry. Another PDP official, speaking anonymously to reporters, alleged that the police action specifically aimed to halt the party’s NEC Expanded Caucus Meeting.

Initially, some staff members were allowed into the Wadata Plaza premises without resistance. However, they were subsequently ordered to vacate the building. Journalists covering the PDP were also instructed to leave the area.

By midday, security operatives had cordoned off Dalaba Street, the major access road leading to Wadata Plaza, heightening political tensions and fueling speculation about potential federal interference in the internal affairs of the opposition party.

Meanwhile, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command has refuted reports alleging that its officers sealed off the PDP national secretariat.

In a statement issued on Monday, the Police Public Relations Officer, Josephine Adeh, described the reports as “false, misleading, and not reflective of the true situation on the ground.”

“The Command wishes to categorically state that this information is false, misleading, and does not reflect the true situation on the ground. Police officers were only deployed to the venue to maintain law and order and ensure public safety in line with their constitutional mandate,” SP Adeh said.

She emphasised that at no time was the PDP Secretariat sealed off by the police, countering circulating claims suggesting a blockade of the party’s premises.

Amid rising political activities and tensions within Nigeria’s capital, the presence of armed security operatives around political party offices often triggers speculation about possible clampdowns. However, the FCT Police Command maintained that their deployment was purely for security and crowd control.

"Police officers were only deployed to the venue to maintain law and order and ensure public safety in line with their constitutional mandate. At no time was the Secretariat sealed off by the Police.

"The Commissioner of Police, FCT, urges media outlets to verify information through the office of the Command Police Public Relations Officer before disseminating,” the statement added.