Members of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) have staged a peaceful protest at the United States Embassy in Abuja.
The protesters are appealing to the international community to help protect Nigeria’s democracy and prevent the country from sliding into a one-party system.
They are also submitting protest letters to the US Embassy, the European Union complex, and the Federal Ministry of Justice.
Carrying placards, the demonstrators urged the international community and the Ministry of Justice to intervene in defence of Nigeria’s democracy and the independence of the judiciary.
They alleged that the ruling party is intimidating opposition figures and pushing the country towards a one-party state.
The PDP has been battling internal divisions for more than two years, with senior members recently engaging in a wave of counter-suspensions.
The crisis worsened over the weekend when national chairman Umar Damagum and some members of the National Working Committee (NWC) suspended National Secretary Samuel Anyanwu, National Organising Secretary Umar Bature, and other senior officers.
In retaliation, Anyanwu led a separate faction of the NWC to suspend Damagum, National Publicity Secretary Debo Ologunagba, and four other top officials, further deepening the party’s leadership crisis.
On Monday, acting national chairman Abdulrahman Mohammed, backed by Anyanwu, resumed duties at the PDP national secretariat, while Damagum and his loyal NWC members were noticeably absent.