PDP crisis deepens as factional chairman Turaki calls for international intervention

The newly elected factional chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Kabiru Tanimu Turaki, has raised alarm over what he described as an escalating threat to Nigeria’s democracy.

Addressing journalists on Tuesday at the PDP National Secretariat in Abuja, Turaki accused the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, of allegedly leading hired thugs to forcibly take control of the party headquarters.

Turaki claimed that police officers also fired shots at members of his faction and prevented them from gaining access to the premises, further heightening tensions within the opposition party.

Turaki condemned the escalating crisis within the party, noting that members of his faction had earlier resolved to “lay down their lives” in defence of the PDP and the nation’s democracy.

Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, who aligned with Turaki’s position, said the struggle had gone beyond party politics and had become a fight to rescue the country’s democratic institutions.

Amid the chaos, a cameraman with the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) was assaulted by suspected thugs, sustaining a head injury while his camera was destroyed. The attack was halted following the intervention of Governor Bala Mohammed.

While the disorder persisted outside, Senator Samuel Anyanwu and his loyalists were reportedly holding a meeting inside the NEC hall, even as the FCT Minister remained in his vehicle, surrounded by heavily armed security personnel.