By Ibrahim Kegbegbe
A faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) led by former Minister of Special Duties, Kabiru Tanimu Turaki, on Saturday ratified former President Goodluck Jonathan as its sole presidential candidate for the 2027 general election despite a heavy security presence that disrupted its planned special national convention in Abuja.
The endorsement took place at an alternative venue after security operatives sealed off the A-Class Event Centre in Wuse 2, Abuja, where the convention was originally scheduled to be held.
The ceremony, which lasted less than 20 minutes, culminated in the unanimous affirmation of Jonathan as the party’s presidential flag bearer. A close associate of the former president, Fred Agbedi, received the certificate of endorsement on his behalf.
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Prominent party figures at the event included former Minister of Information, Prof. Jerry Gana, former Senate President Adolphus Wabara, members of the Interim National Working Committee, state chairmen, and other stakeholders aligned with the Turaki-led faction.
The faction alleged that the disruption of its convention was politically motivated, accusing the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, of using state power to suppress opposition activities.
According to a communiqué issued at the end of the convention and signed by the faction’s National Publicity Secretary, Comrade Ini Ememobong, the party had fulfilled all legal requirements by notifying the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and relevant security agencies about the event.
The group said it had fully paid for the A-Class Event Centre and had already commenced preparations before the management allegedly informed it that the booking had been cancelled following threats from the FCT Administration.
“The management of the event centre informed us that they were invited and threatened that their Certificate of Occupancy would be revoked and the facility demolished if the PDP event was allowed to hold there,” the statement said.
The faction further claimed that more than 20 truckloads of policemen were deployed around the venue on Friday night, effectively shutting down access to the facility and causing significant disruption to traffic in the area.
Following an emergency meeting involving members of the Board of Trustees, the National Executive Committee, gubernatorial candidates, National Assembly candidates, and other key stakeholders, the party leadership decided against confronting security personnel at the venue.
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Party elders reportedly advised restraint, urging members to avoid actions that could lead to violence or public disorder.
Consequently, the stakeholders proceeded with the endorsement of Jonathan at a different location, describing the exercise as the most important agenda item of the convention.
The faction maintained that the endorsement was carried out in accordance with party procedures, with motions moved and seconded before Jonathan was unanimously affirmed as the PDP’s presidential candidate for the 2027 election.
While condemning what it described as “the brazen use of power” by officials of the current administration, the group warned that actions aimed at restricting opposition activities could undermine Nigeria’s democratic system.
The Merit Newspaper reports that the faction also called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to take steps to reduce political tensions in the country and ensure that democratic freedoms, including the right of political parties to assemble, are protected.
It argued that the PDP remained a formidable political force despite its internal leadership crisis and insisted that attempts to frustrate its activities reflected growing concern among political opponents about the party’s electoral prospects.
The development highlights the deepening divisions within the PDP, where rival factions continue to battle for control of the party’s structures. While the faction aligned with Wike currently enjoys official recognition from INEC, the Turaki-led group insists it remains the legitimate leadership of the opposition party, citing recent court pronouncements in support of its position.
The faction concluded by declaring itself united and prepared for the 2027 general elections, pledging to intensify efforts to mobilise members nationwide and challenge what it described as attempts to weaken opposition politics in Nigeria.
