Turaki Meets FCT Police, Announces First PDP NWC Meeting After Confirmation as Chairman
By Zaharaddeen Ishaq Abubakar, KatsinaTimes
The newly confirmed National Chairman of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Tanimu Turaki, has held a closed-door meeting with the Commissioner of Police, Federal Capital Territory (FCT), ahead of the party’s inaugural National Working Committee (NWC) meeting scheduled for Tuesday in Abuja.
Turaki, who addressed journalists shortly after the briefing on Monday, said the visit was to officially notify the police of the party’s planned meeting at its national secretariat, Wadata Plaza, and to ensure that law and order are maintained.
He described the meeting as the first major gathering of the party’s leadership since the national convention in Ibadan where the new PDP executives were elected.
“We came to interface with the Commissioner of Police regarding our planned inaugural National Working Committee meeting. As law-abiding citizens and as a responsible political institution, it is only proper that we inform the police of our activities,” Turaki said.
He disclosed that all stakeholders, including founding fathers, governors, members of the National Assembly, members of the Board of Trustees (BoT), state chairmen, and other senior party leaders, have been invited.
Rejects Parallel Meeting Notice
Turaki expressed concern over a notice circulating on social media announcing a separate BoT and NEC meeting being convened by individuals he described as “expelled members.”
“Next to God in the management of a political party is the national convention. Decisions taken at such convention supersede every other position. The national convention expelled these elements. They are no longer members of our party,” he stated.
He added that the party has reported their actions to the police to prevent any breach of the peace.
Wadata Plaza Will Be Open – Turaki
The chairman insisted that the party’s secretariat remains under the authority of the newly elected leadership and would be used for Tuesday’s meeting.
“Anybody occupying our national secretariat without our consent is a trespasser. We have not asked the police to lock any office. We shall go there, have the place opened, and perform the duties for which we were elected,” he said.
Turaki emphasized that PDP leaders are committed to protecting the party’s structures and Nigeria’s democracy.
“We are prepared to defend our party and this democracy. Our forefathers sacrificed for it, and we are also ready to do the same. We will go to our headquarters and carry out our official functions. Anyone who attempts to stop us, we pray for them,” he warned.
Meeting Set for 10 A.M.
While a rival faction reportedly scheduled a meeting for 11:00 a.m. at the secretariat, Turaki confirmed that the official PDP NWC meeting will hold by 10:00 a.m.
“As the National Chairman, I will be leading from the front. We shall be there unfailingly,” he noted.
Police Promise Protection
According to Turaki, the Commissioner of Police assured the party of full protection and efforts to prevent any breakdown of law and order.
“He has given us confidence that the police will ensure peace and provide the protection we are entitled to under the law,” Turaki said.
The PDP enters a critical phase as the newly constituted leadership moves to assert control of the party’s structures amid internal disputes over legitimacy and authority.
