On Monday, June 30, 2025, the headquarters of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Abuja, the nation's capital, was subjected to a significant security cordon, with a heavy presence of personnel from the Nigerian Police Force (NPF) and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC). This widespread deployment led to the barricading of the street leading to the secretariat, restricting access and sparking immediate tension within the party. The heightened security measures were implemented ahead of scheduled meetings, which themselves were a source of deep internal division.

A major point of contention centered on the nature of the day's gathering. Deputy National Chairman (South), Ambassador Taofeek Arapaja, affirmed the party's commitment to holding the 100th National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting as planned, emphasizing that the June 30 date was binding and could not be altered by any organ or officer of the party. He explicitly dismissed a counter-notice circulated by National Secretary Senator Samuel Anyanwu, which proposed a "Special Expanded National Caucus Meeting" instead, deeming it unconstitutional and not recognized within the PDP's framework. This constitutional dispute underscored the deep schism within the party's top leadership.

Amidst the security lockdown, an alarming incident unfolded when Thomas Ibu, a staff member in the PDP's Publicity Department, was reportedly manhandled and arrested by armed police officers at the secretariat. Attempts by other PDP staff to intervene proved futile as Ibu was taken away, with the reason for his arrest remaining undisclosed at the time. Furthermore, prominent party figures and Board of Trustees (BoT) members, including Hajia Maina Ciroma and Chief Bode George, were denied entry to the secretariat, exacerbating frustrations.

As a direct consequence of the police blockade, the PDP's Board of Trustees was forced to relocate its scheduled meeting from the Wadata Plaza (the party’s National Secretariat) to the Yar’Adua Centre in the Central Business District of the Federal Capital Territory. The party publicly condemned the police actions as harassment, with former National Secretary Umar Tsauri stating that officers cited an "order from above" for their conduct. Despite these accusations, the FCT Police Command, through its Spokesperson Josephine Adeh, refuted claims of sealing off the secretariat, asserting that officers were deployed solely to maintain law and order and ensure public safety, in line with their constitutional mandate.

The events of June 30, 2025, were a clear manifestation of a long-standing and deepening internal crisis within the PDP, which has led to frequent postponements of crucial NEC meetings. A primary flashpoint in this ongoing dispute is the contentious position of the National Secretary, with Samuel Anyanwu, Sunday Ude-Okoye, and Setonji Koshoedo all laying claim. The Acting National Chairman, Umar Damagum, had previously declared Anyanwu reinstated, a decision that was promptly disputed by the National Working Committee (NWC). Legal battles over this position persist, with the Supreme Court having issued a judgment that both sides interpret in their favor, and a new suit currently awaiting hearing in the Federal High Court.

Party chieftains, including Chief Bode George, vehemently condemned the police occupation, warning the Federal Government against actions that could plunge the country into crisis and likening the situation to authoritarian regimes. He stressed the importance of dialogue and democratic principles, stating, "Nigerians are watching, you came to our office, surrounded by police because we want to have a meeting? You want to turn us to North Korea or turn this country to Russia? We will not allow it, Nigerians will not allow it." The crisis has created significant divisions across various party organs, impacting even reconciliation efforts ahead of the party's National Convention slated for late August 2025.