İmamoğlu From Silivri: “They Want to Destroy CHP, But Fear Our Struggle”
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Since March 23, İstanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu has been held in Silivri Prison, and now he has spoken out against the appointment of Gürsel Tekin as trustee to the CHP İstanbul Provincial Organization.
The court ruling removed provincial chair Özgür Çelik and his team, suspending 196 delegates. Tekin — who previously announced his departure from the party — was installed as trustee, sparking outrage within CHP ranks.
İmamoğlu: “They Fear the People’s Power”
In his first public remarks via the CHP Presidential Candidate Office, İmamoğlu accused the government of trying to dismantle the party:
“They want to destroy the Republican People’s Party, which stands with unwavering determination against every evil inflicted on our state and nation. They are terrified of our struggle and the power of the people.”
He described the move as part of a broader effort to weaken democracy and shrink the people’s rights.
“CHP Congresses and Our Provincial Chair Are Our Honor”
Emphasizing loyalty to the party’s elected leadership, İmamoğlu declared:
“Our İstanbul Congress and our Chair Özgür Çelik are our honor. No one who says ‘I am CHP’ would ever become an accomplice to this usurpation of will and dishonor.”
This was a direct rebuke to Gürsel Tekin, who accepted the trustee role while claiming he had “buried his CHP membership in his heart.” CHP Chair Özgür Özel, by contrast, announced Tekin’s expulsion.
Warning Against Judicial Engineering
İmamoğlu accused those in power of using courts as political tools:
“A handful of opportunists are trying to rob the nation of its right to change power through democratic means. They are financing this intervention by shrinking the bread on people’s tables and destroying the economy. They think they are landlords and the people are tenants.”
He framed the trustee decision as part of a broader campaign of judicial interference, political engineering, and suppression of opposition.
Democracy Versus Authoritarianism
Despite being imprisoned, İmamoğlu struck a defiant tone:
“They cannot end this mobilization of hope by imprisoning us or threatening CHP. The Republic of Türkiye will be governed not by coups, but by democracy. Those who rely on trustees and repression will lose to the will of the people.”
He reminded supporters of the Saraçhane protests on March 19, saying the same people’s resistance would stop this new attempt.
Closing Message: “They Will Go, the People Will Come”
İmamoğlu concluded with a call to perseverance:
“The strength to stop this assault on democracy lies in your hearts, minds, and faith in Türkiye. We will not tire; we will never give up. Together, we will reclaim our future. They will go, the people will come. And the words they fear most will echo in their ears: ‘Everything will be very beautiful!’”