The newly elected National Working Committee (NWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), led by National Chairman Kabiru Tanimu Turaki, has condemned Tuesday’s violent confrontation at the party’s national secretariat in Abuja, describing the incident as a “brazen assault on democracy.”

In a statement issued by the PDP National Publicity Secretary, Ini Ememobong, the party praised Nigerians for what it called their “solidarity, courage and resilience” in the face of what it termed tyranny.

According to the party, the widespread support it received during the confrontation reaffirms its position as “the party of choice” ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Leaders Blocked From Secretariat

The PDP said tensions escalated when Turaki arrived at the secretariat for the inaugural meeting of the new NWC, accompanied by Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed and Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde.

The party alleged that its leaders were prevented from entering the building by “compromised personnel of the Nigeria Police Force” working alongside thugs allegedly recruited by expelled former National Secretary Samuel Anyanwu and “endorsed” by the also-expelled FCT Minister Nyesom Wike.

According to the statement, the individuals barricaded the main entrance and attempted to stop the new leadership from accessing the building.

Tear Gas Fired at Governors and Supporters

The opposition party claimed that without provocation, police officers and hired thugs fired more than 200 tear-gas canisters at governors, NWC members, party leaders and supporters. The incident reportedly caused a stampede, leaving several people injured.

Despite the chaos, the PDP said its supporters remained defiant and insisted that the newly elected leadership must be allowed to carry out its mandate.

“In the end, they prevailed and the NWC members had access to the National Secretariat,” the party emphasized.

PDP: ‘This Is About Nigeria’s Democracy’

The PDP argued that the confrontation went beyond internal party issues, calling it a direct threat to Nigeria’s democratic order.

“For the avoidance of doubt, this struggle transcends the PDP. It is about the survival of electoral democracy in Nigeria,” the statement read.

The opposition accused the administration of President Bola Tinubu of enabling an attack that undermines multiparty democracy. The party warned that suppressing opposition voices erodes democratic principles and turns elections into “uneventful events with predetermined outcomes.”

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It further cautioned about what it described as a rise in “electoral authoritarianism,” citing the alleged weakening of institutions and the “overzealous” posture of the ruling party.

Call for International and Domestic Outrage

The PDP urged “all democracy-loving nations, institutions and individuals” to condemn the alleged attack. It also appealed to security agencies not to allow themselves to become tools in the hands of “oppressors,” insisting that their efforts should be focused on fighting insurgency, banditry and widespread insecurity—not political intimidation.

PDP Reaffirms Commitment to Democracy

Concluding its statement, the party reiterated its commitment to defending Nigeria’s democratic space and restoring stability within the opposition.

“This NWC reassures Nigerians that the PDP will continue to resist every attempt by anti-democratic agents to derail the party and democracy. Nigeria’s democracy must endure,” it said.