The newly elected National Chairman of Nigeria's main opposition party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Tanimu Turaki, has made an urgent international appeal to United States President Donald Trump to intervene and rescue Nigeria's democratic system from collapse.
Violent Clashes at PDP Headquarters
The dramatic plea came on Tuesday, November 18, 2025, following intense violent clashes between rival factions at the PDP national secretariat in Abuja. The crisis reached a boiling point when several party members sustained injuries during the confrontation that saw police blocking the entrance to the party headquarters.
The situation escalated significantly when policemen prevented Bala Mohammed, who serves as both the Chairman of the PDP Governors' Forum and the Governor of Bauchi State, from entering the party secretariat. This prompted the governor's security escorts to forcefully clear a path through the police blockade.
Turaki's Accusations and International Appeal
Addressing journalists at the party headquarters, Turaki made serious allegations against the rival faction, claiming they had brought armed thugs with police backing to disrupt party activities and intimidate members. He characterized the situation as a direct threat to Nigeria's democratic foundation.
"I want to call on President Trump; what is at stake is not just genocide against Nigerian Christians, he should come and save democracy in Nigeria," Turaki declared in his emotional appeal to the international community.
The PDP chairman demonstrated his commitment to protecting democratic values, stating firmly, "We are willing to lay down our lives to protect our office, to protect our democracy, and to protect our mandate."
ADC Condemns Attack as Democratic Threat
In a significant development, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) has joined in condemning the violent attack on the PDP headquarters, describing it as a "disturbing and dangerous assault on democracy." The party issued a strong statement through its National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi.
The ADC accused the attack of being carried out "by armed men under the command of senior officials of the ruling party," directly implicating the APC Federal Government in the incident that occurred on Tuesday, November 14, 2025.
In their statement, the ADC criticized the Tinubu administration, stating that "this government's anti-democratic credentials are no longer in doubt" and warning that this latest development represents a dangerous escalation that threatens Nigeria's multiparty democracy.
The party expressed grave concerns about the implications for the 2027 general elections, noting that if the government could send armed agents to enforce factional control of an opposition headquarters, it could employ similar tactics against labor unions, press organizations, student movements, or peaceful protest groups.
"Let no one make the mistake of thinking that this is a PDP matter," the ADC emphasized. "This attack affects the future of democracy in Nigeria and sets a dangerous background for the 2027 general elections."
