Wike Condemns PDP Factional Chair Turaki for Inviting Trump Into Nigeria’s Political Crisis

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, on Wednesday criticised the factional National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, Tanimu Turaki, for asking United States President Donald Trump to intervene in Nigeria’s political issues.

His reaction came as police sealed off the PDP national secretariat in Abuja amid escalating tensions over the party’s leadership crisis.

Speaking while receiving the board members of the South-South Development Commission, led by chairman Chibudom Nwuche, Wike described Turaki’s comments as a threat to national security. He accused the factional PDP leader of disregarding court orders and engaging in acts he labelled as impunity.

Turaki had on Tuesday urged Trump and other Western nations to “save Nigeria’s democracy,” following clashes between rival PDP factions at the party headquarters. He also alleged that Christians in the country were facing genocide.

Responding, Wike said Turaki should have been invited by security agencies over such statements.
“Imagine calling on Trump to rescue your democracy when you can’t obey a simple court order. You can’t manage your own party crisis, yet you blame outsiders. Who does that?” he said. He also questioned Turaki’s claim of Christian genocide, noting that security agencies had failed to probe the allegation.

Meanwhile, heavily armed police officers on Wednesday barricaded the PDP secretariat at Wadata Plaza, Abuja, using barbed wire to block entry. The officers claimed the order came “from above” but offered no details. Attempts to reach the FCT Police Command spokesperson were unsuccessful.

The sealing followed a chaotic leadership dispute triggered by two conflicting notices calling for a National Executive Committee meeting—one issued by expelled National Secretary Senator Samuel Anyanwu and the other by Turaki. Both factions asserted authority, resulting in a standoff.

After the confrontation, Turaki—joined by Governors Seyi Makinde and Bala Mohammed—accused Wike of instigating the crisis and appealed to the international community to intervene, claiming Nigeria’s democracy was under threat.