THE Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, on Wednesday issued a blistering rebuke of factional Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) National Chairman, Tanimu Turaki, after the latter called on U.S. President Donald Trump and other Western nations to intervene in Nigeria’s political affairs.
News Point Nigeria reports that Wike’s outburst came on the same day police authorities sealed the national headquarters of the PDP at Wadata Plaza, Abuja, amid an escalating leadership crisis that has fractured the opposition party and triggered unrest among supporters.
Turaki had on Tuesday accused the Federal Government of endangering Nigeria’s democracy and raised alarm over what he described as alleged genocide against Christians. He urged Trump and “advanced democracies” to intervene, a move Wike condemned as irresponsible and dangerous.
Speaking in Abuja while receiving board members of the South-South Development Commission, led by its chairman, Chibudom Nwuche, Wike said Turaki’s remarks threatened national security and demonstrated contempt for court orders.
“Look at a threat to national security,” Wike said. “You are calling Trump to come and save your democracy when you cannot obey a simple court judgment. Now you are blaming an outsider for not keeping your house in order. Who does that?”
The minister accused Turaki’s faction of disregarding judicial directives and fueling a crisis that has thrown the PDP into chaos.
He also faulted Turaki’s claim of widespread killings and genocide against Christians, insisting that security agencies ought to have immediately questioned him over such an incendiary allegation.
“You go on national television and say there is genocide against Christians. And where are the security agencies? For someone to make such a statement, you won’t invite them to come and give facts. But if it is Wike, kill him!” he said.
Meanwhile, the PDP national secretariat in Abuja was taken over by heavily armed police officers on Wednesday morning, a day after violent clashes erupted between rival factions of the party.
Officers mounted a barbed-wire barricade across the main gate, denying entry to staff and journalists. The officers declined to provide details, saying the directive came “from above.”
Efforts by reporters to obtain clarification from the FCT Police Command’s spokesperson were unsuccessful as calls and messages went unanswered.
The sealing of Wadata Plaza followed a tense Tuesday marked by competing claims to party leadership.
Two conflicting notices had summoned a National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting, one issued by expelled National Secretary, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, and another by Turaki. The duel over legitimacy triggered heated confrontations and security concerns.
Following the chaos, Turaki accompanied by Governors Seyi Makinde and Bala Mohammed accused Wike of orchestrating the disturbances and insisted that international intervention was necessary to “save Nigeria’s democracy.”
Wike dismissed the accusations, insisting that those destabilising the party were now seeking foreign validation for a crisis they created. He warned that the government would not tolerate statements capable of undermining national stability.
As of Wednesday night, the PDP remained in disarray, with the national secretariat under lock and key and the leadership crisis deepening.