Fresh Tension In PDP As Turaki Bloc Moves To Ratify Jonathan Amid Wike Crackdown

Fresh Tension in PDP as Turaki Bloc Moves to Ratify Jonathan Amid Wike Crackdown

…Faction vows to proceed with Saturday convention in Abuja

…Claims venue fully secured, paid for

Daud Olatunji

Fresh crisis is brewing within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as the faction led by former Minister, Kabiru Tanimu Turaki, insisted it will go ahead with its planned presidential candidate ratification convention in Abuja despite mounting regulatory pressure and alleged threats linked to the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Administration.

The faction, which has nominated former President Goodluck Jonathan for ratification, said the convention scheduled for Saturday, May 30, 2026, at A Class Event Centre, Wuse 2, Abuja, would hold as planned, insisting that all arrangements had been concluded and the venue fully secured.

This comes amid escalating tensions following a directive by the FCT Administration warning that hotels, event centres and public facilities risk sanctions, including revocation of land titles, if found hosting what authorities described as gatherings by “unauthorised or illegal organisations.”

In a statement issued on Friday by the Interim National Working Committee and signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Ini Ememobong, the Turaki-led bloc accused FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, of attempting to frustrate opposition political activity through administrative pressure and intimidation.

The faction alleged that it received information from the management of the proposed venue that there were threats to shut down the facility if it was used for the PDP gathering.

“We have been informed by the proprietors of A Class Event Centre of the threat by the Minister of the FCT, Nyesom Wike, to shut down their business premises if the Peoples Democratic Party is allowed to use their hall for our presidential candidate ratification ceremonies,” the statement read.

The group maintained that it had complied with all legal and procedural requirements, including full payment for the venue and formal notification to security agencies.

According to the statement, “we had furnished consideration in full to consummate the earlier offer and acceptance. Furthermore, we had duly notified all relevant security agencies about the event.”

It further stated that legal steps had been taken to ensure the event proceeds without disruption, adding that counsel had been instructed to engage the venue management over what it described as attempts at unlawful interference.

The faction insisted that the convention would go ahead without alteration, stressing that the ratification of former President Goodluck Jonathan remained the central agenda of the gathering.

“We reiterate that the special convention to ratify the presidential candidature of President Goodluck Jonathan will hold as scheduled on Saturday, 30th May, 2026, at A Class Event Centre, Wuse 2, Abuja, by 10 a.m.,” it said.

It also argued that no provision of Nigerian law empowers the FCT Minister to determine which political meetings can be held in privately leased venues, describing such interference as undemocratic.

The faction warned that any attempt to stop the event would amount to suppression of political opposition and called on party leaders, National Executive Committee members, and supporters nationwide to mobilise for the convention.

Meanwhile, the FCTA has intensified enforcement of its directive on political and public gatherings, warning that property owners risk losing land titles if their facilities are used for meetings linked to groups not recognised by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

In a statement by the FCT Minister’s Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media, Lere Olayinka, the administration said the policy was aimed at strengthening security and preventing unlawful assemblies in the capital territory.

“Going forward, title documents of any event centre, hotel or public building that is used for the gathering of illegal organisations will be revoked,” the statement warned.

The FCTA also directed proprietors of event centres and hotels to verify the legitimacy of groups seeking to use their facilities, insisting that only INEC-recognised political structures should be granted access.

However, the administration did not clearly define what constitutes an “illegal organisation,” a gap that has continued to raise concerns among political actors over possible arbitrary enforcement.

The development has further heightened political tension in Abuja, where rival party factions continue to engage in parallel mobilisations ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Wike has yet to officially respond to the latest allegations at the time of filing this report.

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