Kabiru Turaki, national chairman of Nigeria’s opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), on Monday urged U.S. President Donald Trump to intervene to “save democracy” in Africa’s most populous nation.
Turaki’s appeal comes two weeks after Trump threatened military action in Nigeria, accusing the federal government of failing to stop the killing of Christians and vowing to move in “guns-a-blazing” against what he described as Islamic terrorists.
Speaking to reporters after entering the PDP national secretariat in Abuja following a standoff between rival factions, Turaki said Nigeria’s democratic system was being undermined and required international support.
“What is at stake is not just genocide against Nigerian Christians,” he said. “He should come and save democracy in Nigeria. Democracy is under threat. I’m calling on all other developed nations: come and save Nigeria.”
Tensions escalated on Tuesday at the PDP headquarters in Abuja, where police fired teargas to break up clashes between supporters of two rival camps. The faction backed by Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike and the newly elected national working committee led by Turaki had both scheduled meetings at the party’s Wadata Plaza.
Turaki accused Wike of sponsoring thugs to disrupt activities at the secretariat and alleged that police officers protected those responsible for the chaos.
Samuel Anyanwu, national secretary of the Wike-backed faction, arrived with his group for planned board of trustees and national executive committee meetings, adding to the confrontation. Police struggled to maintain order and eventually cleared the complex.
Officers later used teargas to disperse politicians, journalists and supporters from both sides who continued to clash outside the building.