Attack On National Secretariat ‘State-Backed’ – Alleges PDP
•By Admin
ABUJA – THE newly elected National Working Committee (NWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), led by National Chairman Kabiru Tanimu Turaki, has thanked Nigerians and party members for standing with the PDP during what it described as an “attempt by undemocratic elements to seize the party’s National Secretariat.”
In a statement signed on Tuesday by Comrade Ini Ememobong, National Publicity Secretary, the party said, “The courage and solidarity shown by Nigerians as the party resisted state-backed aggression confirm the PDP as the choice of the people as it marches toward reclaiming power in 2027.”
The statement added that Nigerians cheered when the National Chairman, flanked 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 executive elected at the successful national convention in Ibadan.
However, according to the PDP, “On arrival, compromised personnel of the Nigeria Police Force, together with thugs reportedly recruited by expelled former National Secretary Sen. Samuel Anyanwu and apparently endorsed by expelled FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, blockaded the entrance to prevent leaders and members from entering.”
The statement alleged that “without provocation, the attackers fired tear-gas canisters at the governors, NWC members, party officials and peaceful supporters.” It added that “the indiscriminate use of gas sparked a stampede and left several people injured,” noting that “more than 200 tear-gas canisters were fired at unarmed citizens who had gathered to witness a lawful party meeting.”
Despite the violence, the PDP said, “Supporters and other Nigerians remained defiant, insisting that the legitimate leadership be allowed to run the party free from external interference.” Ultimately, the NWC gained access to the National Secretariat.
The PDP condemned the incident as “not only an attack on the party but an assault on electoral democracy itself — a direct threat to the survival of independent opposition and to a system that depends on institutionalised uncertainty rather than predetermined outcomes.”
It warned that “the rise of weakened institutions, compromised security agencies and an overzealous ruling party echoes past failures and risks a slide toward electoral authoritarianism.”
The party urged the international community, democracy-loving institutions, and individuals to “condemn the assault unequivocally.” It reaffirmed its resolve to “defend democracy and the welfare of Nigerians” and pledged to “resist any antidemocratic attempts to derail the party or the democratic process.”
The statement also called on security agencies “to reject use as tools of oppression, to protect citizens, and to prioritise combating insurgency, banditry and other threats to national security rather than facilitating attacks on opposition parties.”
The NWC concluded that “the PDP will continue to resist all antidemocratic actions aimed at derailing both the party and Nigeria’s democracy.”
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