Wike Blasts Turaki for Calling on Trump, Warns Against Threats to Nigeria’s Democracy

Nigerian politician Nyesom Wike has condemned PDP factional chairman Tanimu Turaki for publicly appealing to former U.S. President Donald Trump to “save” Nigeria’s democracy, describing the move as reckless and a threat to national security. Speaking to journalists, Wike questioned why Turaki would call on a foreign leader when his own party struggles to comply with court rulings. He also slammed Turaki’s claims that the government is committing a “genocide against Christians,” calling the statement misleading and dangerous. “You come out on national television to say it is not only killing — genocide against Christians. Essentially, you are telling the world that the government is committing genocide,” Wike said. “If we invite someone with facts, nobody complains. But if it is Wike, they cry foul. This is a threat to national security.” Wike stressed that political disputes within parties should be handled internally, not through inflammatory statements to the public or foreign powers. He added that Nigeria’s democracy is resilient and that the real danger comes from politicians who exaggerate internal conflicts for personal or factional gain. “He is calling Trump to come and save their democracy when they cannot even obey a simple court judgment,” Wike said, warning against unnecessary foreign involvement. His remarks highlight ongoing tensions within the PDP and serve as a caution against using external actors to influence domestic political matters.

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Police Seal PDP National Secretariat After Factional Clash, Turaki-Led Group Vows To Enter Office

Police have cordoned off the national secretariat of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Abuja following a clash between two rival factions on Tuesday. A visit to Wadata Plaza on Wednesday revealed that barbed wire had been placed around the premises to prevent entry, with only a few police officers stationed on the ground. Leaders of both factions were notably absent. A prominent member of the faction led by Kabiru Turaki opposed the police barricade, insisting that the group would still access their offices. “No one can stop us from coming to our office,” he said, underscoring the ongoing tension within the party.

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Taraba Governor Agbu Kefas Postpones APC Defection Following Kebbi Schoolgirl Abductions

Taraba State Governor Agbu Kefas has put on hold his planned defection to the All Progressives Congress (APC) in response to the recent abduction of schoolgirls in Kebbi State. In a statement released Tuesday in Jalingo, the governor described the kidnapping as a heartbreaking tragedy, saying it would be inappropriate to continue with political activities while families and the nation are still grieving. “My decision follows the deeply saddening kidnapping of schoolgirls in Kebbi State, because I believe the safety and well-being of the children are far more important than any political activity,” Kefas said. He expressed sympathy to the families of the abducted girls and offered condolences to the Federal Government, calling on security agencies to intensify efforts to secure the safe release of the victims. The defection event, originally scheduled for November 19, 2025, has been suspended pending further consultations and an improvement in the security situation. Political realignments in Taraba State have continued, with all PDP members in the State House of Assembly, local government chairmen, cabinet members, and senior officials, including the Secretary to the State Government, defecting to the APC in recent days. Several party leaders commended the governor’s decision to postpone the rally, describing it as a demonstration of solidarity with the kidnapped schoolgirls and their families.

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Wike-Backed PDP Faction Expels Makinde, Bala Mohammed, Dauda Lawal And Bode George

A faction of the Peoples Democratic Party aligned with FCT Minister Nyesom Wike and National Secretary Senator Samuel Anyanwu has intensified the party’s internal conflict by announcing the expulsion of several top members, including Governors Seyi Makinde, Bala Mohammed and Dauda Lawal, as well as elder statesman Bode George. The group also listed PDP BoT Chairman Adolphus Wabara, newly inaugurated National Chairman Tanimu Turaki (SAN), Deputy National Chairman (South) Taofeek Arapaja and others among those removed. In the same move, they dissolved the party structures in Bauchi, Oyo, Zamfara, Yobe, Lagos, Edo and Ekiti, ordering fresh caretaker committees and new congresses in all affected states. These actions come in the wake of last weekend’s chaotic national convention in Ibadan, which itself resulted in Wike and his loyalists being expelled by the opposing bloc—further widening the party’s bitter divide. Reading the communiqué, Senator Anyanwu said NEC had reviewed a report accusing several leaders of violating Articles 58(1) and 59(1) through acts considered harmful to the party, including open disobedience to court orders and engaging in activities that undermine the PDP’s image. A long list of members was placed under disciplinary investigation, including Wabara, George, Turaki, Makinde, Bala Mohammed, Dauda Lawal, Arapaja, Udom Emmanuel, Mohammed Kadade and others. The faction also demanded that Chief Ali Odefa refund every salary and allowance he received after his expulsion in December 2024. They confirmed several acting NWC positions and approved the Edo State executive led by Barr. Nosa Ogieva-Okunbor. In a broader directive, the group instructed the party’s legal department to begin constitutional processes aimed at retrieving seats from all elected officials who defected from the PDP, citing the provisions of the 1999 Constitution. They concluded by announcing a major reconciliation drive and a comprehensive membership audit ahead of the 2027 elections—while stressing that any peace efforts must not compromise internal discipline.

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Northern PDP Leaders Endorse Tanimu Turaki as Consensus National Chairman Candidate

PDP Postpones NWC Meeting After Violence At Abuja Secretariat

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) postponed its National Working Committee (NWC) meeting on Tuesday following unrest outside its national secretariat in Wuse, Abuja. PDP National Chairman Tanimu Turaki told journalists that the decision was taken due to disruptions caused by opponents of the party leadership. “Due to some incidents caused by those who are enemies of progress, enemies of democracy, we have decided to postpone this meeting till tomorrow,” he said. Turaki, who spoke alongside Governors Seyi Makinde of Oyo State and Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State, stressed the party’s commitment to peace and orderly conduct. The postponement comes amid tensions between Turaki’s faction and supporters of the Nyesom Wike-led bloc. Turaki emerged as PDP National Chairman at a disputed convention on Saturday, which was boycotted by the Wike faction. Both factions had scheduled executive meetings at the secretariat on Tuesday, leading to confrontations. Supporters of the Wike-led faction, mostly women and youth groups, took to the streets around Wadata Plaza carrying placards with messages such as “No to Turaki” and “Turaki must go.” The Wike-backed faction reportedly gained access to the secretariat by 9:45 a.m., led by sacked Acting National Secretary Samuel Anyanwu, and accompanied by heavily armed police personnel. Turaki explained that he had informed the FCT Commissioner of Police about the planned NWC meeting and requested security, which was provided, allowing party leaders to enter the secretariat. “However, due to some incidents caused by those who are enemies of progress and democracy, we have decided to postpone this meeting till tomorrow,” Turaki said, thanking party leaders, former governors, lawmakers, and members of the Board of Trustees for their support. He added, “We in PDP are peace-loving people. We want peace to reign because we want to take over governance in this country. And if we want to take over governance, then we need to have one country in place.” The NWC meeting is now rescheduled for Wednesday, with the party reiterating its commitment to unity and orderly conduct.

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PDP Faction Led By Wike Chased Out As Makinde, Bala Mohammed, and Turaki Hold Meeting

Governors Seyi Makinde and Bala Mohammed, along with newly elected PDP National Chairman Tanimu Turaki, reportedly expelled the Nyesom Wike-led faction from the party’s national secretariat in Abuja. The clash unfolded on Monday at Wadata Plaza as rival factions attempted to hold separate meetings on the same day. Both the National Working Committee (NWC) elected in Ibadan and the Wike-supported faction had scheduled gatherings, escalating tensions. Samuel Anyanwu, National Secretary of the pro-Wike faction, arrived at the secretariat with members of his group, but a confrontation broke out, forcing the Wike faction out of the premises. Despite the chaos, Governors Makinde and Bala Mohammed, alongside Turaki, successfully gained entry into the PDP NEC hall to hold their scheduled meeting. https://twitter.com/TheICIR/status/1990726365423816932?t=JXU2Jvub_UFeo6-aMbTUxA&s=19

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PDP Warns Democracy Is Under Threat, Urges Trump To Intervene

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has urged the international community, particularly the United States, to step in and protect democracy in Nigeria. The call comes in the wake of chaos at the PDP National Secretariat in Wadata Plaza, Abuja, on Tuesday, when rival factions of the party clashed while attempting to hold separate meetings at the same location. Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed claimed that he and Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde were tear-gassed during the disturbances. Speaking to journalists after the incident, PDP National Chairman Tanimu Turaki alleged that police also shot some party members. He said, “Some of our members who came here to attend meetings have been shot by the police. Democracy in Nigeria is under threat. We are now calling on the international community. I want to call on President Trump… this is not just about attacks on Christians, he should come and help save democracy in Nigeria. I also appeal to all developed nations to come and assist in preserving our democracy.”

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Tension Erupts At PDP Secretariat As Anyanwu, Turaki Factions Plan Rival Meetings

Tension heightened on Tuesday at the Wadata Plaza National Secretariat of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as the factions led by Samuel Anyanwu and Kabiru Taminu Turaki prepared to hold separate meetings at the same venue in a fresh showdown over control of the party. Security was heavily reinforced around Zone 5, with police officers, DSS operatives, and other security personnel stationed across the Secretariat. Supporters of both factions gathered nearby, drumming, singing, and displaying loyalty as they awaited the unfolding power tussle. Members invited by the Anyanwu-led faction for its NEC meeting began arriving early. Anyanwu himself got to the Secretariat around 8:50 a.m. and headed straight to his office. As of 9:27 a.m., loyalists of the Turaki faction had not yet arrived, though there were strong indications they were on their way and preparing to make their presence felt. Speaking to journalists, Anyanwu explained that he requested the deployment of security personnel, noting that it is a routine precaution whenever the party convenes a NEC meeting due to the large turnout and sensitive nature of the gathering. He said: “I wrote to the security agencies and I wrote NEC on the 14th of November informing them of the NEC/BoT meeting scheduled for today. I am the National Secretary of the party and my tenure runs till December 8.” Reacting to reports that the Turaki-led faction planned to hold its own meeting at the Secretariat, he added, “We are going for our meeting and we do not expect any intruder. He is coming to hold a meeting here as what?”

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