PDP Accuses Police, Wike Camp Of ‘State-Backed Aggression’

The newly elected National Working Committee of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), led by National Chairman Kabiru Tanimu Turaki, has commended Nigerians for what it described as their “solidarity, courage and resilience” during Tuesday’s violent confrontation at the party’s national secretariat in Abuja.

In a statement signed by the PDP National Publicity Secretary, Ini Ememobong, the party said the support shown by Nigerians in the face of “tyranny” reaffirmed its position as “the party of choice” ahead of the 2027 elections.

“Nigerians celebrated when the National Chairman, accompanied by the Governors of Bauchi and Oyo States, Sen. Bala Mohammed and Engr. Seyi Makinde, arrived at the National Secretariat for the inaugural meeting of the new executive,” the statement read.

The PDP alleged that its leaders were blocked from entering the secretariat by “compromised personnel of the Nigeria Police Force” and thugs “reportedly recruited” by expelled former National Secretary Samuel Anyanwu and “endorsed” by FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, who was also expelled at the Ibadan convention.

According to the statement, the individuals barricaded the entrance and attempted to prevent party leaders from accessing the building.

“Without any provocation, they fired tear-gas canisters at the Governors, NWC members, party leaders and peaceful supporters,” the party claimed.

The PDP said more than 200 tear-gas canisters were fired at “unarmed and harmless citizens,” causing a stampede and several injuries.

Despite the chaos, the party said its supporters “stayed firm and courageous,” insisting that the newly elected leadership must be allowed to run the party.

“In the end, they prevailed and the NWC members had access to the National Secretariat,” the statement noted.

The party argued that the incident was not merely an internal dispute but a direct threat to Nigeria’s democracy.

“For the avoidance of doubt, this struggle transcends the PDP. It is about the survival of electoral democracy in Nigeria,” the statement said.

The PDP accused the administration of President Bola Tinubu of enabling an attack that undermines the foundation of multiparty democracy.

“When opposition is suppressed, the core democratic principle of institutionalised uncertainty disappears, reducing elections to uneventful events with predetermined outcomes,” the party added.

It warned of a growing “electoral authoritarianism,” citing the alleged weakening of institutions and the “overzealous” posture of the ruling party.

The PDP urged “all democracy-loving nations, institutions and individuals” to condemn what it called a “brazen assault on democratic freedom.”

The opposition party also appealed to security agencies not to allow themselves become “tools in the hands of oppressors.”

“They should focus more on combating insurgency, banditry and widespread insecurity instead of facilitating attacks on opposition parties,” the statement said.

The PDP insisted that it remains committed to defending democracy and restoring stability within the opposition.

“This NWC reassures Nigerians that the PDP will continue to resist every attempt by anti-democratic agents to derail the party and democracy. Nigeria’s democracy must endure,” the statement added.

Source: Naijanews