Newly inaugurated PDP National Chairman Kabiru Turaki has issued a dramatic appeal to U.S. President Donald Trump and other global democracies, urging them to help protect Nigeria’s political system, which he says is under severe threat.
Turaki made the call after Tuesday’s PDP NEC meeting was abruptly postponed due to a violent confrontation at the party’s Abuja headquarters. The meeting, meant to be his first as chairman, was shifted to Wednesday after police fired teargas to control warring factions.
“I am calling on President Trump… this is beyond alleged genocide against Christians. He should come and save democracy in Nigeria,” Turaki declared, adding that other advanced nations must also “come and save Nigeria, come and save democracy.”
His comments come days after Trump warned that he might order U.S. military intervention to “wipe out radical Islamic terrorists” if Nigeria fails to curb attacks against Christians. Trump also labelled Nigeria a “Country of Particular Concern” over alleged religious persecution.
Turaki won the PDP chairmanship at the controversial Ibadan convention where Nyesom Wike, National Secretary Samuel Anyanwu, former Ekiti governor Ayo Fayose and others were expelled. Wike’s faction has rejected the outcome, citing court orders against holding the convention.
Tensions exploded Tuesday when both factions arrived at the secretariat to hold parallel meetings. A shouting match ensued involving Wike, Governor Seyi Makinde and Governor Bala Mohammed, who demanded police eject Wike for being “no longer a PDP member.” Police teargassed both camps as tempers flared.
Turaki later accused Wike of storming the secretariat with armed thugs and claimed some police personnel aided the disruption. He vowed to defend the party’s mandate at all costs. “We are ready to lay down our lives to protect democracy,” he said.
He appealed to Nigerians and the international community to take note of what he called a clear threat to Nigeria’s democratic stability.
