By Chika Eze, Abuja
The newly elected National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Tanimu Turaki, has requested police protection for himself and members of the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) ahead of their inaugural meeting scheduled for Tuesday at the PDP National Secretariat, Wadata Plaza, Abuja.
Turaki made the request during a visit to the FCT Police Command in Garki, Abuja, citing a conflicting notice of a National Executive Committee (NEC) and Board of Trustees (BoT) meeting allegedly issued by former National Secretary, Senator Samuel Anyanwu.
Turaki described the notice as an attempt to cause some confusion, noting that it was slated for the same date, time, and venue.
Speaking to journalists after meeting with the Commissioner of Police, Turaki said he was prepared to confront anyone attempting to disrupt Tuesday’s meeting.
“We came to interface with the FCT Commissioner of Police regarding our planned inaugural NWC meeting. We have invited our stakeholders, founding fathers, governors, National Assembly members, BoT members, state chairmen, and other critical stakeholders,” he stated.
He added that those issuing the parallel meeting notice were no longer members of the party, recalling that their expulsion was ratified at the recent National Convention in Ibadan.
“Our National Convention has taken a decision to expel these elements, and that decision overrides any taken by any organ of the party. We have reported their moves to the police because we do not want any breach of peace,” Turaki said.
Reaffirming the NWC’s readiness to take control of the party’s assets, Turaki said that the inaugural meeting would be held at the Wadata Plaza headquarters.
“We are holding the meeting at our National Secretariat. Anyone sitting there without our consent is an interloper. We haven’t asked the police to lock up our offices. We will go there, have the offices opened, and perform the functions for which we were elected,” he declared.
The Chairman emphasised the committee’s determination to defend the party and protect Nigeria’s democracy.
“To defend our party and this democracy, we are prepared to lay down our lives. If anyone tries to prevent us, we pray for them,” he said.
Turaki confirmed that the meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, adding that the Police Commissioner had assured the NWC of adequate protection.
“The CP has assured us that there will be no breakdown of law and order. We expect the police to give us the protection we are entitled to under the law,” he concluded.