By Passman Akpos
Abuja, Nigeria — Some members of the opposition People’s Democratic Party (PDP) on Thursday staged a peaceful protest at the United States Embassy in Abuja, calling on the international community to intervene and help protect Nigeria’s democracy from what they described as a “slide toward a one-party state.”
The protesters, who carried placards with inscriptions such as “Save Nigeria’s Democracy,” “Stop Intimidation of Opposition Voices,” and “Justice for All, Not for the Powerful,” accused the ruling party of orchestrating actions aimed at weakening opposition forces across the country.
According to organizers, the demonstration is part of a broader campaign to draw the attention of global partners — including the European Union and Nigeria’s Ministry of Justice — to what they called “growing threats to democratic governance and judicial independence.” Protest letters were submitted to the U.S. Embassy, the EU complex, and the Ministry of Justice.
One of the protesters told journalists, “We are not here to fight; we are here to defend democracy. Nigeria’s opposition is under siege, and if nothing is done, this country may become a one-party state.”
The protest comes amid a deepening internal crisis within the PDP that has left the party fractured along factional lines. Over the weekend, tensions escalated after National Chairman Umar Damagum and some members of the National Working Committee (NWC) announced the suspension of National Secretary Samuel Anyanwu, National Organising Secretary Umar Bature, and several other top officials.
In a swift rebuttal, a rival faction led by Samuel Anyanwu countered by suspending Damagum, National Publicity Secretary Debo Ologunagba, and four other principal officers, plunging the party further into chaos.
On Monday, Abdulrahman Mohammed, who was appointed as acting national chairman by the Anyanwu faction, resumed duties at the PDP national headquarters, while Damagum and his loyalists were noticeably absent — an indication of the widening schism within the party’s leadership.
Despite the internal turmoil, protesters insist their demonstration transcends partisan disputes. “This is not just about the PDP,” another protester said. “It’s about saving Nigeria’s democracy from collapse.”
The U.S. Embassy has yet to issue an official response to the protesters’ demands. However, observers note that the growing unrest within Nigeria’s main opposition party could have significant implications for the country’s political stability ahead of future elections.
