By Chika Eze, Abuja
The National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Kabiru Tanimu Turaki, has accused expelled members of the party of attempting to violently disrupt a legally convened meeting at the PDP National Secretariat in Abuja.
Addressing party leaders after regaining control of the secretariat, Turaki commended PDP members for what he described as their “resilience, courage, and resoluteness” in defending the party’s mandate and safeguarding democracy.
According to him, for more than seven hours, the party’s leadership resisted efforts by “renegade members expelled at the Ibadan national convention”.
“We predicted they would come with armed thugs to disrupt our meetings. God so kind; we were able to contain them effectively. We have driven them out of the secretariat, and as you can see, I have entered my office and assumed leadership as the elected national chairman,” Turaki said.
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Turaki vowed that the PDP would remain steadfast in defending democratic institutions and would not hesitate to mobilize members nationwide if attacks continue.
“We are prepared to lay down our lives to nurture and protect this democracy that our forefathers fought to establish. We will continue to be peace-loving and law-abiding, but we will also defend our integrity and our rights under the constitution,” he added.