By Adewunmi Oluwaseun
The newly elected National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Tanimu Turaki, has issued an unusual appeal to U.S. President Donald Trump, urging him to intervene in what he described as a deepening threat to Nigeria’s democracy.
Turaki made the call on Tuesday while addressing journalists at the PDP national headquarters in Abuja, hours after violent clashes erupted between rival factions of the party.
The confrontation left several members injured and triggered heavy police presence at Wadata Plaza.
Tensions escalated when policemen reportedly blocked the Chairman of the PDP Governors’ Forum, Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed, from entering the secretariat.
His security aides were said to have forced their way in, worsening the standoff.
Turaki accused the opposing faction of deploying “armed thugs backed by security agents” to disrupt party activities and intimidate members.
He argued that the crisis was no longer an internal issue but a direct attack on Nigeria’s democratic institutions.
“I want to call on President Trump,” he said. “What is at stake is not just genocide against Nigerian Christians; he should come and save democracy in Nigeria.”
Vowing to resist any attempt to suppress the party, Turaki added: “We are willing to lay down our lives to protect our office, to protect our democracy, and to protect our mandate.”
In a related reaction, the African Democratic Congress (ADC), condemned the violence, describing the attack on the PDP secretariat as a “dangerous assault on democracy.”
The party accused the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), of using armed agents to enforce factional control of an opposition party, a move it said threatens multiparty democracy and sets a troubling precedent ahead of the 2027 elections.
The ADC warned that similar tactics could be used against labour unions, the media, student groups and civil society, urging Nigerians to view the incident as a national democratic crisis rather than a partisan dispute.
Security around the PDP headquarters remains tight as party leaders continue emergency consultations on the unfolding situation.
