The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has condemned a call by the factional Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Umar Turaki, SAN, urging United States President Donald Trump to intervene in Nigeria’s political affairs. Wike described the appeal as reckless, inflammatory, and a threat to national security, insisting that Nigeria’s democracy remains stable.
Wike made the remarks on Wednesday while receiving board members of the South-South Development Commission, led by Chairman Chibudom Nwuche, at his office in Abuja.
Turaki had on Tuesday addressed journalists following the clash between rival PDP factions at the party’s national secretariat in Abuja. He said democracy in Nigeria was “under threat” and called on Trump and leaders of advanced democracies to “save Nigerian Christians” and safeguard the country’s political system.
“I want to call on President Trump. What is at stake is not just a genocide against Nigerian Christians. He should come and save democracy in Nigeria,” Turaki had said during the briefing.
Wike, however, dismissed the comments as irresponsible and dangerous. He said Turaki’s faction had failed to comply with court rulings and was instead attempting to divert attention by blaming the Federal Government for the PDP’s internal crisis.
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“Look at a threat to national security. You are calling on Trump to come and save your democracy when you cannot obey a simple court judgment,” Wike said.
“You cannot keep your house in order; you are blaming an outsider. Who does that?”
He added that Nigeria’s democratic institutions were functioning and that the administration of President Bola Tinubu had no involvement in the PDP’s internal wrangling.
“Our democracy is not under threat. People went to court to challenge what you are doing. You think impunity can continue. It cannot,” he said.
The former Rivers State Governor further criticised Turaki for making comments that implied an ongoing genocide in Nigeria. He argued that such allegations should prompt immediate scrutiny from security agencies.
“You went on national television to claim genocide against Christians, essentially accusing this government of carrying out genocide. And where are the security agencies?” Wike asked. “For someone to make such a statement, you won’t invite him to present facts? But if it is Wike — kill him!”
Wike urged political leaders to refrain from inciting rhetoric and instead focus on strengthening democratic processes and respecting the rule of law.
