The People's Democratic Party (PDP), led by Tulaki, defended its chairman's call for foreign interference. The newly elected national press secretary of the PDP, Ini Ememobun, condemned police for using tear gas to disperse party officials and journalists during clashes at the party headquarters in PDP on Tuesday. * Ememobun said on the television program "Politico Today" on Tuesday that the party anticipated resistance before its planned national labor council inauguration conference, but received assurances from the police chief after a lengthy meeting on Monday. * "This was expected, because when light clashes with darkness—when justice clashes with evil—you have to be prepared." * "We went to see the police chief. We didn't just send a letter," he said. "He assured us of police protection."* He noted that newly elected executive committee members had traveled from and other parts of the country to attend the meeting. * Party Ememobon also defended the Abuja chairman's controversial call for US President Donald Trump to intervene in Nigerian politics, arguing that the international community has historically shaped Nigeria's path to democracy. * “We are instilled with the idea of democracy from a young age. If you study the theory of third-wave democratization, Nigeria fits the bill perfectly. The US, Britain, the EU—they all played a crucial role,” he said. * “They touted that democracy could protect human rights, establish norms, and strengthen the economy. That was the promise at the time.” * When asked why the party persisted despite anticipated confrontation, he replied that compromise would be tantamount to “handing democracy over to those who profit from the chaos.” “If a thief threatens to come to your house, would you leave your house and family? You would call the police and defend yourself,” he said. He accused police of firing tear gas at older party members, some of whom suffered from asthma, high blood pressure, and other ailments. “People were injured. The tear gas was fired directly at them.” “If the ruling party seems only willing to shed blood to defend democracy, then the chairman bluntly stated: If it requires our blood, then so be it,” he said. “Because the president seems to only realize the seriousness of the problem after bloodshed.” Ememobon believes Tuesday’s events occurred near the center of power and emphasizes that President Tinub could not possibly have been unaware of them. He warned that the country is sliding toward “electoral authoritarianism” on the eve of the 2027 general election. The party remains mired in an internal leadership crisis. On Tuesday morning, police dispersed a group of party members who were planning to hold the founding conference of the National Labour Council. On Tuesday, the All Progressives Congress (APC) immediately criticized Tulaki for his reckless and unpatriotic call for foreign intervention in Nigeria’s domestic political crisis. *