The All Progressives Congress (APC) has strongly criticised the newly declared factional Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Tanimu Turaki, over his remarks calling for foreign intervention in Nigeria.

Turaki, while addressing journalists on the internal crisis rocking the PDP, urged foreign powers to intervene to “save the country” from what he described as an alleged “Christian genocide” and to protect democratic values.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, APC National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, described Turaki’s comments as “reckless and unpatriotic,” accusing the PDP chieftain of making a dangerous appeal that threatens Nigeria’s sovereignty.

The ruling party said Turaki, who was declared National Chairman just 72 hours ago by a faction of the PDP, appeared “desperate, confused, and incoherent,” and lacked the capacity to address the pressing issues within his party.

According to the APC, Nigerians had expected Turaki to prioritise reconciliation efforts and peace-building within the opposition party.

“Instead of working to unify the warring factions of his party, Turaki’s first official action was to call for foreign invasion as a solution to internal problems,” the APC said, describing the move as “shameless” and a significant threat to national security.

The ruling party further argued that despite what it described as the PDP’s history of suppressing opposition during its 16 years in power, the party had never resorted to inviting foreign intervention in Nigeria’s internal political affairs.

The APC maintained that Turaki’s comments signalled the PDP’s inability to manage its internal conflicts and should be regarded as “a final confirmation of the party’s collapse.”

The party urged the international community to disregard the call, describing it as a “distraction” from the PDP’s alleged leadership failures. It also asserted that the opposition’s “growing desperation” had become evident.

The statement concluded with a call to Nigerians to continue supporting the APC and President Bola Tinubu’s administration as it works toward national development.