PDP: Turaki seeks Trump’s intervention as party crisis sparks fears for Nigeria’s democracy
Newly elected National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Tanimu Turaki, has issued a dramatic appeal to U.S. President Donald Trump, urging him to intervene amid what he describes as a mounting threat to Nigeria’s democracy.
Turaki made the call on Tuesday while speaking to journalists at the PDP national secretariat in Abuja, shortly after violent clashes broke out between rival factions of the party. The confrontation left several members injured and deepened the escalating crisis within the opposition party.
Tensions flared when policemen prevented the chairman of the PDP Governors’ Forum and Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, from entering the secretariat, prompting his security detail to forcefully clear a path. Turaki accused a rival faction of deploying armed thugs—allegedly with police support—to disrupt party activities and intimidate members.
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Warning that the situation poses a grave threat to Nigeria’s democratic foundations, Turaki called for global intervention. “I want to call on President Trump; what is at stake is not just genocide against Nigerian Christians—he should come and save democracy in Nigeria,” he declared.
He vowed that the current PDP leadership would defend democratic norms at all costs, adding, “We are willing to lay down our lives to protect our office, to protect our democracy, and to protect our mandate.”
In a related development, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) condemned the violent attack on the PDP headquarters, describing it as a “disturbing and dangerous assault on democracy.” According to the ADC, the invasion was carried out by armed individuals “under the command of senior officials of the ruling party.”
In a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, the ADC accused the Tinubu-led administration of using violence to seize control of an opposition party—an act it said endangers multiparty democracy and promotes a drift toward one-party rule.
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“The brazen invasion and violent takeover of the PDP National Secretariat…is a dangerous assault on Nigeria’s democracy,” the statement read. “This government’s anti-democratic credentials are no longer in doubt, but this latest assault marks a new and alarming low.”
The ADC further warned that if such tactics could be used against an opposition party, similar actions could be deployed against labour unions, press organisations, student groups, or peaceful protesters.
“This attack affects the future of democracy in Nigeria and sets a dangerous precedent ahead of the 2027 general elections,” the party cautioned.
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