Two youth groups loyal to disputed National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Senator Ali Modu Sheriff and Chairman, PDP National Caretaker Committee, Senator Ahmed Makarfi, on Thursday, clashed in Abuja.
The groups clashed at the main gate of PDP national secretariat.
An eyewitness said that the Pro-Makarfi protesters arrived at the secretariat about 6.30 a. m. while pro-Sheriff group arrived about 40 minutes later and positioned itself some metres away from their “opponents’’.
The source said that both groups displayed placards and sang amid drumming and dancing.
While pro-Sheriff group had placards which bore “Sheriff is our man”, “Sheriff is our favourite” and Sheriff Carry Go”, Pro-Makarfi group’s placards read “Sheriff is not a member of PDP”, “Sheriff Must Go.”
The clash was said to have started when the pro-Sheriff protesters tried to gain access into the party’s secretariat and were resisted by the Pro-Makarfi group, which was stationed at the gate.
It was gathered that the intervention of officials of Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) quelled the face-off.
The fight was, however, said to have reoccurred when at about 1 p. m., a reinforced pro-Sheriff group repeated attempt to get into the secretariat.
The source said that struggle ensued in the process and knives, machetes and sticks were freely used.
“After a while, pro-Makarfi group overpowered the pro-Sheriff group and sensing danger, the Sheriff’s group ran away,’’ the source said.
While the clash lasted, armed security personnel stationed around the secretariat watched from a distance, having moved their vehicles from the troubled spot.
Renewed leadership crisis in the PDP began after its May 21 national convention in Port Harcourt, which removed Sheriff and the National Working Committee and constituted a National Caretaker Committee.
