PDP faction protests at US Embassy over alleged intimidation

Some members of the Peoples Democratic Party on Thursday staged a peaceful protest at the United States Embassy in Abuja, calling for international intervention to safeguard Nigeria’s democracy and prevent alleged drift toward a one-party state.

The protesters are submitting protest letters at the US Embassy, the European Union complex, the Ministry of Justice, and the Nigeria Police Force Headquarters, all in Abuja.

Videos of the protest circulating online show demonstrators carrying placards with inscriptions reading “Fix PDP, fix Nigeria, save our democracy,” “Stop party opposition intimidation,” and “Please save our democracy from intimidation,” among others.

According to the demonstrators, opposition members have come under increasing intimidation from the ruling party, threatening the nation’s multi-party political system.

The protest comes amid deepening internal crisis within the PDP, which has seen factions of the National Working Committee announce the suspension of each other.

Over the weekend, one faction led by Acting National Chairman Umar Damagum suspended National Secretary Samuel Anyanwu and others, while the rival camp loyal to Anyanwu retaliated by suspending Damagum and several officials.

The standoff has further fractured the party’s leadership, with both factions claiming legitimacy as the crisis continues to unsettle Nigeria’s main opposition party.

The protest, themed “Save Our Democracy from Intimidation Protest,” is reportedly organised by the PDP Like-Mind Group with the aim of appealing for support from the local and global community.

Source: Punch