PDP crisis: Democracy not under threat in Nigeria, Wike replies Turaki

*Says calling on foreign figures to save Nigeria’s democracy irresponsible

*Southern/Middle Belt leaders urge FG to address emerging concerns over Nigeria’s democracy

By Mathew Brangyet

Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), on Wednesday, accused Kabiru Turaki, the newly elected factional National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), of directly accusing President Tinubu’s administration of committing genocide against Christians in Nigeria.

On Tuesday during a clash between Wike’s faction of the PDP and Turaki’s newly inaugurated executives, Turaki called on US President, Donald Trump to come to the aid of the PDP, stating that not only is there genocide against Christians at stake, but also the urgent need to save democracy in Nigeria.

“I want to call on President Trump. What is at stake is not just genocide against Christians; he should come and save democracy in Nigeria. Democracy is under threat. I am calling all developed nations and advanced democracies to come and save Nigeria,” Turaki said.

Wike made his remarks in Abuja while hosting Hon. Chibudom Nwuche, the Chairman of the South-South Development Commission (SSDC), and Miss Usoro Offiong Akpabio, the Managing Director/CEO of the SSDC, in his office.

Wike dismissed Turaki’s call on President Trump, describing it as reckless political indulgence aimed at inciting national tension.

He emphasised that the allegation of genocide is a serious national security threat and pointed out that Turaki’s claims stem from internal party disputes.

“Look at what someone said yesterday. You have internal crises in your own party, yet you go on national television claiming there’s genocide against Christians. Essentially, you’re telling the world that this government is committing genocide. And when security agencies invite you to clarify your claims, people shout, ‘They want to kill him!” Wike stated.

“This is a national security threat. Some are even calling on Trump to ‘save their democracy.’ How can you call on an outsider to save you when you can’t follow a simple court order? You cannot keep your house in order and then blame others for your failures. Impunity cannot continue.”

He said calling on foreign figures to “save democracy” was irresponsible, arguing that respect for lawful orders must guide political conduct.

Wike stressed that Nigeria’s democracy remains stable, adding that the real danger comes from politicians who deliberately promote incendiary narratives.

He said political leaders must accept responsibility for internal failures instead of shifting blame or encouraging impunity.

Wike lamented the challenges he faces in office, saying, “I am here as Minister because I knew I could do the work. Yes, you will step on toes, but I’m not afraid as long as I’m doing the right thing. I’m not perfect—nobody is—but I’ll always do what I’m supposed to do.”

He acknowledged the constant attacks he receives: “I know the battles I am facing in the FCT; every day, there are attacks from all sides. Sometimes I go home and laugh—that’s Nigeria. When people think they can manipulate you, they’ll try everything to bring you down. But I won’t go down. I will keep doing the right thing,” he insisted.

He encouraged the Managing Director and the Board Chairman of the SSDC to be strong, firm, and work together in unity. “Politicians will try to divide you. I recommend that you support individuals where necessary, but don’t lose sight of the core objective: bringing development closer to the people.”

“My advice to you, particularly to directors and executive directors, is that if you don’t work with your board, you will fail. Today, you’re united because there are no projects or funds yet. But once ₦50 billion arrives and someone spends it without approval, disputes will arise: ‘The chairman wants me to do wrong; he didn’t give me contracts,'” Wike warned.

He also urged them not to disappoint the President and to make him proud of their work.

In response, Mrs Akpabio assured the FCT Minister of her full commitment to delivering on their mandate to drive regional development and economic growth.

“We will also strengthen our government liaison office in the FCT to enhance collaboration and strategic engagement with federal ministries, departments, agencies, and key stakeholders, ensuring that the South-South remains at the forefront of policy administration and action plans,” she said.

Meanwhile, the Southern and Middle Belt Leaders Forum (SMBLF) on Wednesday urged the Federal Government to address emerging concerns over the country’s democracy.

The News Agency of Nigeria NAN reports that the meeting of the forum was held at PANDEF’s liaison office in Abuja behind closed doors.

NAN also reports that a communiqué was, however, issued by Oba Oladipo Olaitan, Dr Pogu Bitrus and Godknows Igali after the meeting.

Olaitan, who read the communique, said that the forum condemned, in the strongest terms, the emerging tendency among the political class to railroad the country towards single-party control of key democratic structures at the federal and sub-national levels.

The forum also condemned the violent confrontation that erupted on Tuesday at the national headquarters of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Abuja, following the clash by two factions of the party.

Describing the incident as a “barbaric show-of-shame,” SMBLF said that the fracas had further eroded public confidence in the opposition and weakened the checks and balances required for a functioning democracy.

“A democracy without a strong and viable opposition becomes vulnerable to abuse and authoritarianism,” it said.

Security agencies were also singled out for harsh criticism, with the forum accusing the Nigeria Police Force of increasingly taking sides in political disputes.

“The use of law enforcement for political intimidation poses a direct threat to Nigeria’s democratic evolution.

“This brazen deployment of security forces for partisan battles must stop immediately,” it stated.

The forum also expressed worries over what it described as the “emerging non-chalance” of Independence National Electoral Commission (INEC), under its new Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan.

“The commission must take timely actions to redirect these dangerous trends, ahead of the 2027 general elections,” it said.

The forum decried what it called the worsening security situation across the country, citing the killing of Brig.-Gen. Uba and his colleagues in Borno, the abduction of school girls in Maga, Kebbi, and multiple attacks in Kaduna, Kwara and Kogi states

It demanded an urgent federal programme for the rehabilitation and resettlement of displaced Middle Belt communities, insisting that the victims must be returned to their ancestral lands without further delay.

The forum urged the government to accelerate negotiations with the striking resident doctors and engage more constructively with the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) to avoid further disruption in the education sector.