By EMMANUEL OLONIRUHA

A coalition of lawyers and civil society organisations (CSOs) has issued a 24-hour ultimatum to the Nigeria Police Force to re-open the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) National Secretariat or face immediate legal action.

The coalition, comprising Lawyers for New Nigeria (LNN), Good Governance Initiative Coalition (GGIC), and Arewa Lawyers Union (ALU), issued the threat at a joint news conference on Monday in Abuja.

Mr. Hassan Saraki, the National Coordinator of LNN, who spoke on behalf of the coalition, said that the ultimatum was necessary to ensure the sustenance of multi-party democracy in Nigeria.

Saraki described the continued closure of the PDP national secretariat as illegal, adding that the opposition should not only be provided a level-playing field without intimidation but also be allowed to flourish.

He demanded the immediate withdrawal of police personnel from the party secretariat to allow for its full restoration.

“We give the police 24 hours to reopen the PDP national secretariat; failure to do that will result in legal action.

“As lawyers, we cannot continue to see things going wrong and keep quiet. We all know what is going on in this country; we cannot allow the situation to further degenerate,” Saraki said.

He claimed that the continued closure of Wadata Plaza was a “coordinated assault” on the soul of Nigeria’s democracy.

Saraki described the events of Nov. 18 and Nov. 20, not as internal party disagreements but as a siege, led by political thugs and allegedly backed by security operatives acting without lawful authority.

He described the action as a deliberate and orchestrated effort to cripple the PDP and a rising intolerance towards opposition voices.

“At the centre of this crisis is the brazen, violent and unconstitutional invasion of the PDP national secretariat at Wadata Plaza, Abuja, on Nov. 18 and again on Nov. 20.

“This was not an internal disagreement; it was a siege, a forceful occupation, led by political thugs, backed by security operatives acting without lawful authority.

“This is an unprecedented, unconstitutional and dangerous assault on Nigeria’s democracy,” he said.

Saraki argued that the actions of the police violated Section 40 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), which guarantees Freedom of Association, as well as Sections 221-229 regarding protections for political parties.

“Let it be repeated that the decisions of the PDP National Working Committee at the Ibadan Convention remain valid unless set aside by a court of competent jurisdiction. No group has the authority to overturn them by force,” he said.

He expressed concern that Nigeria was facing intense international scrutiny due to insecurity and allegations of genocide, noting that the recent controversial statement by President Donald Trump had further spotlighted the nation’s challenges.

He warned that suppressing the opposition would only hasten a slide toward authoritarian rule.

Consequently, Saraki demanded the immediate withdrawal of police officers from the PDP secretariat and a parliamentary inquiry into the alleged misuse of security agencies. (NAN)