The newly elected National Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Ini Ememobong, has described the violent standoff at the party’s Wadata Plaza headquarters in Abuja as shameful and pitiful.

Ememobong made this statement on Tuesday while responding to questions in an interview on Channels Television’s ‘Politics Today’ programme.

He said the violent clash indicates a disturbing decline in Nigeria’s democratic culture and questioned the process surrounding the disputed meeting.

Ememobong expressed sadness that every election cycle in Nigeria is getting worse, stressing that the incident exposed party members to danger.

The lawyer pointed out that several Nigerians had died from inhaling tear gas in the past, accusing the ruling party of enabling hostility against the opposition.

He said, “Is that a NEC meeting? Every NEC meeting must be monitored by INEC. It’s very shameful and a pity that this is happening after six election cycles.

“Democratic consolidation should be firm. Democratic norms should be valued. They should form part of our way of life. Sadly, every election cycle seems to be getting worse.

“In a democracy, the majority will have their way, and the minority will have their say. But what you have now is a minority trying to impose its will on the majority.”