Isaac Samuel
The faction of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, led by Tanimu Turaki has affirmed former President Goodluck Jonathan as its presidential candidate for the 2027 general election after security operatives sealed off the venue of its planned Special National Convention in Abuja.
The development followed the disruption of a gathering convened by the faction to ratify Jonathan’s candidature, with police officers blocking access to the venue and preventing delegates, party members and supporters from entering the premises.
Eyewitnesses said security personnel were deployed around the venue from the early hours of Saturday, effectively halting proceedings and creating uncertainty among participants who had gathered for the event.
In a statement issued shortly after the development, the party’s Interim National Working Committee announced that Jonathan had been affirmed as its presidential candidate despite the inability to hold the convention as originally planned.
The statement, signed by the faction’s National Publicity Secretary, Comrade Ini Ememobong, alleged that the convention was deliberately obstructed through the deployment of security operatives and pressure on the management of the event centre booked for the gathering.
According to the party, it had formally notified the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and relevant security agencies about the convention and secured the A Class Event Centre in Abuja for the exercise.
The faction claimed that the management of the facility later cancelled the booking after allegedly receiving threats from the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, that the centre’s Certificate of Occupancy could be revoked if it hosted the event.
It further alleged that the Federal Capital Territory Administration issued warnings to businesses against hosting activities it considered unlawful and that more than 20 truckloads of police officers were deployed around the venue on the eve of the convention.
The party said the situation prompted an emergency meeting involving members of its Board of Trustees, Interim National Working Committee, National Executive Committee, state chairmen, governorship candidates, National Assembly candidates and other stakeholders.
Following deliberations, it said party elders advised members against confronting security operatives, urging them instead to remain peaceful and focus on preparations for the 2027 elections.
“The consensus was that no Nigerian should be harmed in pursuit of political objectives. Our focus remains the ballot, not confrontation,” the statement said.
The faction maintained that Jonathan’s affirmation remained valid and announced that a formal presentation and flag-off ceremony for the former president would be held at a later date.
It also condemned what it described as the abuse of state institutions and accused the ruling government of attempting to weaken opposition politics through intimidation and restrictions on political activities.
The party warned that actions aimed at limiting opposition participation could have far-reaching implications for Nigeria’s democratic development and called on President Bola Tinubu to ensure a level playing field for all political parties.
Reaffirming its readiness for the 2027 polls, the faction urged its members nationwide to remain united and committed to its objectives while directing its leadership to intensify preparations for the election and continue drawing attention to what it described as growing threats to opposition politics in the country.
Meanwhile, neither the police nor the Federal Capital Territory Administration had issued an official statement on the allegations at the time of filing this report.
