The newly elected National Working Committee (NWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), led by National Chairman Kabiru Tanimu Turaki, has commended Nigerians and party members for what it described as overwhelming solidarity during an attempt by “undemocratic elements” to hijack the party’s National Secretariat on Monday.

In a statement signed by the National Publicity Secretary, Comrade Ini Ememobong, the PDP said the courage shown by citizens as the party “resisted and triumphed over state-backed aggression” reaffirmed the party’s position as “the choice of Nigerians” ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Tension reportedly heightened at the PDP National Secretariat in Abuja when Turaki arrived for the inaugural meeting of the new NWC, accompanied by Bauchi State Governor, Senator Bala Mohammed, and Oyo State Governor, Engr. Seyi Makinde. The meeting followed the party’s recent national convention held in Ibadan, Oyo State.

According to the PDP, access to the secretariat was blocked by “compromised personnel” of the Nigeria Police Force and thugs allegedly recruited by the expelled former National Secretary, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, and purportedly backed by the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, who has also been expelled from the party.

The statement alleged that, without provocation, police officers and the said thugs fired tear gas at the governors, NWC members, party officials, and supporters, triggering a stampede that left several people injured. The party further claimed that more than 200 tear-gas canisters were deployed against its members and supporters who had gathered for a lawful meeting.

Despite the confrontation, the PDP said its supporters “stood firm,” insisting that “the right leadership of the party must be allowed to run the party without external influence.” The NWC eventually gained access to the building.

The party described the incident as an attack not just on the PDP but on Nigeria’s democracy, accusing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration of undermining the opposition and enabling conditions that threaten democratic stability.

“When opposition is suppressed, the core democratic principle of institutionalised uncertainty disappears,” the statement read, warning that Nigeria risked sliding toward “electoral authoritarianism” similar to patterns that had destabilised previous republics.

Calling for international attention, the PDP urged democracy-supporting countries, institutions, and rights groups to condemn what it termed a “brazen assault on democratic freedom.”

The party also advised security agencies to resist being used as instruments of oppression, urging them instead to focus on combating insecurity, terrorism, and banditry.

Reaffirming its commitment to defending Nigeria’s democratic institutions, the NWC declared that the PDP remains “resolute and unwavering” in its mission to safeguard the nation’s political future.

“Nigeria’s democracy must endure,” the statement concluded.