The National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Kabiru Turaki on Tuesday made an appealed to the President of the United States, Donald Trump and the international community to intervene in Nigeria’s political climate, warning that the country’s democracy was “under threat” as internal crisis rocking the PDP escalated in Abuja.
Turaki, speaking to journalists before the PDP faction he leads attempted to hold a National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting, accused the FCT minister, Nyesom Wike, of leading armed thugs with the alleged backing of police officers to disrupt party activities.
He said the situation had reached a level that required global intervention.
“I want to call on President Trump, what is at stake is not just genocide against Christians, he should come and save democracy in Nigeria. Democracy is under threat, I am calling all other developed nations, all advanced democracy, come and save Nigeria.”
Turaki said the the party leaders are ready to pay the ultimate price to protect the country’s democracy.
“I have said it, we are willing to lay down our lives to protect our office, to protect democracy and to protect our mandate,” he said.
His comments came minutes before chaos erupted at the PDP’s national secretariat in Wadata Plaza, where two rival blocs — the Nyesom Wike-backed faction and the newly constituted National Working Committee (NWC) loyal to Turaki — scheduled parallel meetings on the same day.
Tensions spiked when Samuel Anyanwu, the national secretary aligned with Wike, arrived with supporters for a separate Board of Trustees (BoT) and NEC meeting. Heated verbal exchanges quickly escalated into scuffles as both camps jostled for control of the premises.
Police operatives on ground struggled to manage the situation and eventually ordered everyone, including senior party officials, to evacuate the compound. The confrontation worsened shortly after, prompting officers to fire teargas canisters to disperse the crowd.
The sudden deployment of teargas sent party members, staff and journalists scattering in panic. Many were seen coughing, shielding their faces and fleeing toward nearby streets in a chaotic stampede.
Outside the secretariat, clashes continued as supporters from both sides brandished sticks and other objects, further heightening tensions around the embattled opposition party.
The PDP crisis, which has deepened ahead of key internal decisions, remains unresolved as both factions continue to assert authority.
Meanwhile, the The party faction loyal to the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, said it has expelled Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State, Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State, Dauda Lawal of Zamfara State among others.
The faction also said that it has dissolved the party executives in Oyo, Bauchi, Ekiti, Zamfara, Edo and Lagos.
According the faction, these decisions were taken at the 103 National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting of the party held in the party national secretariat in Abuja today.
Others expelled include former Board of Trustees Chairman, Senator Adolphus Wabara, Senator Kabiru Tanimu Turaki, Deputy National Chairman (South), Taofeek Arapaja and others, for anti Party activities.
Acting National Chairman of the PDP, Alhaji Mohammed Abdulrahman, who presented the memo for the expulsion, said it was as result of the affected party members’ disregard for court judgements, an action he said put the party in disrepute.
NEC meeting’s Communique was read by the National Secretary, Senator Samuel Anyanwu.
It reads; “The National Executive Committee (NEC) met on 18 November 2025 to address recent developments affecting the unity, stability, and constitutional order of our Party. At a time when Nigerians look to the PDP for leadership, NEC convened to uphold truth, justice, discipline, and respect for the rule of law.
“NEC expressed deep concern over the actions of some members who violated subsisting court orders by organizing and attending a purported and unauthorized convention. This act triggered confusion, factionalisation, and the defection of governors and legislators nationwide.
“NEC reaffirmed that the PDP draws its legitimacy from strict adherence to its Constitution and that of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, not from impunity.
“NEC received the report of the Acting National Chairman, Hon. Abdulrahman Mohammed, detailing breaches of Articles 58(1) and 59(1), including anti-party activities, disobedience to court orders, and conduct bringing the Party into disrepute.
“NEC approved the commencement of disciplinary procedures against the following; Adolphus Wabara, Olabode George, Ben N. Obi, Kabiru Tanimu Turaki (SAN), Bala Mohammed, Oluseyi Makinde, Dauda Lawal, Taofiq Arapaja, Setonji Koshoedo, Okechukwu Obiechina Daniel, Woyengikuro Daniel, Mohammed Kadade Suleiman, Emmanuel Ogidi, Sumaila Adamu Burga, Umar Sani, Udom Emmanuel and Emmanuel Enorden.
“NEC further resolved that Chief Ali Odefa must refund all salaries and allowances collected after his expulsion on 12 December 2024. These actions are taken to preserve order and discipline within the Party. NEC also ratified Hon. Chidiebere Egwu Goodluck as Acting National Vice Chairman (South East).
“NEC ratified the dissolution of State Excos in Bauchi, Oyo, Zamfara, Yobe, Lagos and Ekiti. The NWC is directed to constitute caretaker committees and begin fresh congresses immediately while the Edo State Exco led by Barr. Nosa Ogieva has been approved.
“NEC directed Deputies in all National Working Committee positions now vacant owing to expulsion to assume the substantive positions in acting capacity and function as NWC members.
NEC also formally ratified the appointment of Alhaji Mohammed Abdulrahman, as the Acting National Chairman of the party.
“NEC directed the legal team and NWC to commence immediate constitutional action to recover seats of all elected officials who defected from the PDP, in line with Sections 68(1)(g) and 109(1)(g) of the 1999 Constitution.
“NEC approved a Party-wide reconciliation initiative to heal divisions and rebuild trust, while ensuring that reconciliation does not undermine discipline. A nationwide membership audit and revalidation will begin ahead of the 2027 elections.
“NEC acknowledged the anxieties among members but assures the Party faithful that these decisions are aimed at stabilising and strengthening the PDP.
“The NEC affirms that the era of indiscipline is over. The PDP will not bow to lawlessness or personal ambition.
“With unity, discipline, and renewed purpose, the PDP will rebuild stronger and restore public confidence ahead of the next electoral cycle.”
