He stated this while addressing the press after he and
Governors Seyi Makinde of Oyo and Bala Mohammed of Bauchi forced their way into
the PDP National Executive Committee meeting hall on Tuesday.

There’s tension at the headquarters of the PDP in Abuja over
attempts to hold parallel meetings.

The National Working Committee (NWC) elected in Ibadan, Oyo
State capital, on Saturday and the faction backed by the Minister of the
Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, had fixed meetings for Tuesday.

Samuel Anyanwu, National Secretary of the pro-Wike faction,
had arrived at Wadata Plaza with some members of the faction.

Shortly afterward, members of the Taminu Turaki faction
arrived at the party headquarters but were blocked from entering.

Turaki said, “And we will do everything to ensure that
democracy survives, even if it means that we pay with our lives.

“Even if it means we have to make an appeal to the
international community to come and assist us to rescue this democracy, we will
not fail to do that. I want to call on Nigerians to stand up.

“There is a serious threat to democracy in this country. As
soon as democracy crumbles, then that will be the end of this country, God
forbid. But for us in the PDP, I have said it, and I want to say it quite
emphatically, that if it means that we lay down our lives for democracy to
thrive and survive in Nigeria, we are prepared to do that.

“In spite of the tear gas that these other elements… because
this is not police tear gas. I don’t know how they procured this tear gas and
they are spraying it on us, but that has not, and will never, deter us.

“I want to assure you that we have taken over our office,
and we will continue to give leadership and direction to this party from our
national headquarters, which is Wadata Plaza.”