PDP faction protests at US Embassy over alleged intimidation
A faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Thursday held a peaceful demonstration at the United States Embassy in Abuja, urging the international community to help safeguard Nigeria’s democracy amid what they describe as escalating intimidation of the opposition.
The protesters, who also plan to deliver petitions to the European Union Mission, the Federal Ministry of Justice, and the Nigeria Police Force Headquarters, marched with placards bearing inscriptions such as: “Fix PDP, Fix Nigeria, Save Our Democracy,” “Stop Intimidation of the Opposition,” and “Please Save Our Democracy from Intimidation.”
They alleged that members of the opposition have increasingly come under pressure and harassment from the ruling party, a trend they say threatens Nigeria’s multi-party democratic structure.
The demonstration comes against the backdrop of worsening leadership turmoil within the PDP. In recent days, rival factions of the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) have announced suspensions of one another, deepening internal divisions.
Both sides continue to lay claim to the party’s leadership, creating a power tussle that has unsettled Nigeria’s main opposition platform.
Thursday’s protest, tagged “Save Our Democracy from Intimidation”, was convened by the PDP Like-Mind Group, which says its objective is to rally both local and international support to halt what it views as a slide toward one-party dominance in the country.
