A coalition of pro-democracy lawyers and civic society organisations on Tuesday raised the alarm over what they described as a coordinated assault on Nigeria’s multiparty democracy, accusing the Nigerian Government of using security agencies to subvert opposition politics.
Penpushing reports that the Lawyers for New Nigeria (LNN), in collaboration with the Good Governance Initiative Coalition (GGIC), Advocates for Better Nigeria (ABN) and the Advocates for Democratic Accountability Network (ADAN), at a World Press Conference in Abuja, condemned what they called a brazen, violent and unconstitutional siege on the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) National Secretariat, Wadata Plaza, Abuja.
The coalition said the occupation of the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP) headquarters on November 18 and again on November 20 was not an internal party dispute, but an orchestrated and state-backed operation executed by political thugs and enforced by security operatives acting without lawful mandate.
Penpushing also reports that the groups alleged that the invasion, which prevented access by Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governors, lawmakers and party officials, was directly coordinated by the Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, with the backing of the App Progressives Congress (APC)-led federal government.
The coalition insisted the action amounted to a dangerous escalation of state interference in party politics, and warned that Nigeria’s democratic system faces existential threats, citing what they described as escalation of security abuses, shrinking political space, suppression of dissent, weaponisation of institutions and deliberate weakening of opposition structures.
Penpushing reports that the statement criticised the deployment of armed police to restrict access to a legally constituted party organ, describing the development as “state capture in motion.”
The coalition maintained that the decisions taken by the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP) National Working Committee (NWC) at the Ibadan Convention remain valid unless overturned by a court of competent jurisdiction.
Penpushing further reports that the groups argued that the actions allegedly sanctioned by the Minister of Federal Capital Territory) FCT) contravene constitutional guarantees, citing Section 40 of the 1999 constitution – freedom of association, Sections 221–229 – protections for political parties, and ministerial oath of office obligations.
The coalition warned that democracy collapses when the ruling party uses security forces to intimidate opponents, and therefore, issued seven major demands, including: Immediate withdrawal of police from Wadata Plaza and full reopening of the secretariat.
The other demands are investigation into the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister’s conduct, A parliamentary probe into security agency abuses, protection for all political parties, security neutrality, public commitment to multiparty democracy
Penpushing also reports that they urged ECOWAS, African Union (AU,) European Union (EU), United Nations (UN), United States pf America (USA), United Kingdom (UK), and France to closely monitor the situation and intervene diplomatically to prevent democratic backsliding.
The groups, however, appealed directly to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to stop the alleged persecution of opposition parties, rein in political appointees acting with impunity and ensure respect for constitutional order.
The organisers equally declared that the civil society must not fold its arms, stressing that national stability hinges on protecting democratic freedoms.
“Nigeria belongs to all of us—not to political warlords, not to ministers driven by vengeance, not to a ruling party bent on silencing the opposition,” the coalition stated.
Penpushing reports that that they hey vowed to continue mobilising Nigerians, insisting that they will not be silent, but defend democracy a s well as the rule of law.
The National Chairman of the Society for Advancement of Democracy (SAD), Orji Nwafor-Orizu, in another development has urged Nyesom Wike, and his supporters to quit the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) if they are no longer committed to its stability.
Penpushing further reports that he advised them to either join the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) or establish a new political party, noting that it is sad believes that the conduct of some political actors is not in the interest of democratic consolidation, particularly the trend of governors defecting to the All Progressives Congress(APC).
“Governors should only defect if their people want them to. We in the SAD are concerned about the electorate, not political parties,” he stated.
Penpushing also reports that Orizu commenting on the crisis within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) stressed that the party’s national convention, which elected Turaki as National Chairman, remains the highest decision-making organ of the party, and its resolutions must be respected.
“Turaki is a highly respected Senior Advocate of Nigeria. I believe he must have considered the legal implications of the current situation before taking the decisions he has made as chairman,” he affirmed.
Penpushing reports that he encouraged Turaki to intensify reconciliation efforts with aggrieved members, while steering the party with truth, fairness, and justice.
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