Before the swearing-in of newly appointed members of the National Working Committee (NWC), scheduled for 1 p.

At the same time, protesters have occupied the party secretariat to voice their opposition to some recently elected NWC members.

The party secretariat is located in Wuse 2, Abuja, where the police blocked traffic by barricading Blantyre Street.

Discontentment within the party had been raised by the announcement of the new NWC members on Wednesday.

In order to replace Yakubu Ajaka, the ruling party appointed Duro Meseko (Kogi State) as the deputy national publicity secretary for the North Central Zone. At the same time, Ikani Shuaibu Okolo (Kogi State) assumed the role of zonal organizing secretary for the North Central Zone.

The announcement saw the candidate for Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, lose to James Faleke for the position of Deputy National Publicity Secretary.

Against this background, Bello arrived at the secretariat in the early hours of Thursday.

His presence is believed to have contributed to heightening the tension around the secretariat.

Also, the party announced Mary Alile Idele, from Edo State, as the National Women Leader (South-South Zone). Idele happens to be the candidate of Adams Oshiomhole instead of Dr. Stella Odey-Ekpo, the candidate of the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Beta Edu.

In Abia State, it was equally alleged that the candidates recommended by both the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, and the State Chairman, Ikechi Emenike, both lost to the candidate of Governor Hope Uzodimma.