Fresh controversy has erupted within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) after the Tanimu Turaki-led faction announced a last-minute change of venue for its planned convention to ratify former President Goodluck Jonathan as its presidential candidate.
The development followed reports that security operatives blocked access to the original venue, forcing organisers to relocate the event to another location in Area 10, Abuja.
Despite the disruption, leaders of the faction insisted they would not back down, describing the situation as an attempt to intimidate and silence opposition voices ahead of the 2027 elections.
The faction had initially scheduled the special convention to hold at A-Class Park and Event Centre, Wuse 2, where Jonathan was expected to be formally ratified as the party’s presidential flagbearer.
However, organisers alleged that the venue came under pressure after the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) directed event centres and public facilities to deal only with political party leaderships officially recognised by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Reacting to the development, the faction’s National Publicity Secretary, Ini Ememobong, accused authorities of trying to frustrate the event.
According to him, all necessary payments had been made for the venue and relevant security agencies had already been notified before the sudden complications emerged.
Ememobong maintained that no amount of pressure would stop the group from proceeding with its plans, insisting that the convention would hold as scheduled despite the venue change.
He described the actions against the event as an attack on democratic principles and opposition politics.
Meanwhile, the crisis within the PDP deepened after the Wike-backed faction of the party rejected the planned convention entirely.
The faction, led by Abdulraman Mohammed, dismissed the ratification exercise as unauthorized and misleading.
Its spokesman, Jungudo Mohammed, stated that no recognised organ of the PDP had approved any process to endorse Jonathan as a presidential candidate.
He further urged party members and the public to disregard reports surrounding the convention, stressing that the party had already concluded its official primary processes in line with electoral guidelines.
The faction also called on former President Jonathan to publicly distance himself from the exercise to avoid further confusion within the party.
As political tensions continue to rise, Jonathan has yet to make any official statement regarding the ratification exercise or whether he intends to contest the 2027 presidential election.
The latest development highlights the growing divisions within the PDP as different factions battle for control and influence ahead of the next general election.
Source: Daily Post Nigeria / TheCable
