- It also urged international organisations to monitor the situation
- Hassan Saraki, said the police siege violates constitutional rights
- Security operatives had shut down the Wadata Plaza office following clashes between rival PDP factions
Legal advocacy groups have demanded the immediate lifting of the police blockade at the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) national secretariat in Abuja, describing the action as illegal and dangerous to Nigeria’s democracy.
Eko Hot Blog reports that the groups, Lawyers for New Nigeria (LNN), Arewa Lawyers Union (ALU) and the Good Governance Initiative Coalition (GGIC) — issued the ultimatum at a press conference on Monday, accusing security agencies of acting on the orders of FCT Minister Nyesom Wike.
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Security operatives had shut down the Wadata Plaza office following clashes between rival PDP factions backed by different political blocs.
The coalition’s national coordinator, Barrister Hassan Saraki, said the police siege violates constitutional rights and effectively undermines multiparty democracy. He warned that if officers are not withdrawn within 24 hours, legal action will follow.
Citing Sections 40 and 221–229 of the Constitution, the groups described the blockade as unprecedented and an assault on political freedoms. Saraki called on President Bola Tinubu to ensure neutrality and guarantee a level playing field for opposition parties.
The coalition condemned what it described as a partisan deployment of police personnel aimed at weakening the opposition and shrinking civic space. It also urged international organisations to monitor the situation and intervene diplomatically to prevent democratic backsliding.
They demanded an immediate reopening of the secretariat, a full investigation into Wike’s alleged role, a parliamentary probe into police conduct, and a public reaffirmation of Nigeria’s commitment to multiparty democracy.
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