The factional leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party led by Kabiru Tanimu Turaki has declared that it will not succumb to any form of intimidation, insisting that plans to ratify former President Goodluck Jonathan as its presidential candidate for the 2027 general election will proceed as scheduled.
The faction maintained that no amount of pressure or alleged interference would prevent it from carrying out its planned special convention aimed at endorsing Jonathan for the presidential race.
In a statement issued on Friday in Abuja, the faction’s National Publicity Secretary, Ini Ememobong, alleged that efforts were being made to frustrate the event through threats directed at the management of the venue selected for the convention.
According to Ememobong, the organisers were informed by the management of A Class Event Centre that the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, had allegedly threatened to shut down the facility if it hosted the planned ratification ceremony.
He claimed that the venue owners expressed concerns over possible consequences if they allowed the faction to use the facility for the event.
Ememobong, however, insisted that all necessary arrangements had been completed in accordance with legal and administrative requirements.
He stated that the organisers had fully paid for the venue and complied with all contractual obligations required to secure the event centre for the gathering.
“We state here, and for the record, that 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. We have directed our lawyers to write, reminding A Class Event Centre of these facts.
“Having satisfied these requirements, we reiterate that the special convention to ratify the presidential candidature of President Goodluck Jonathan will hold as scheduled on Saturday, May 30, at A Class Event Centre, Wuse 2, Abuja, by 10 a.m,” he said.
The PDP faction described the alleged threat as an attempt to suppress political opposition and stifle democratic expression.
According to Ememobong, the alleged action raises concerns about the use of government authority to influence political activities in the country.
He argued that the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory does not possess constitutional or statutory powers to determine which political events can be organised or where such events should be held.
Ememobong further maintained that granting such authority to a government official would be inconsistent with democratic principles and the rule of law.
He said the party remained committed to exercising its political rights within the bounds of the law and would not be deterred by what it views as attempts to undermine opposition activities.
“Such limitless powers are strange to a democratic republic,” he stated.
The faction’s spokesperson also extended an invitation to party stakeholders, including members of the National Executive Committee, state party leaders, elected officials, and supporters, urging them to attend the convention as planned.
The development comes shortly after the Federal Capital Territory Administration issued a directive warning operators of hotels, event centres, and other public facilities against allowing their premises to be used by what it described as illegal organisations.
The warning was contained in a statement released by Lere Olayinka, the Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media to the FCT Minister.
According to the statement, property owners whose facilities are used for activities organised by illegal groups risk losing their land titles and operating privileges.
The administration explained that the directive forms part of broader efforts to strengthen security across the Federal Capital Territory and support security agencies in maintaining law and order.
The statement noted that public facilities, including hotels and event centres, would be subjected to closer scrutiny to prevent their use for gatherings capable of disrupting public peace.
“In view of the need to further ensure the security of lives and properties in the FCT and sustain the efforts of security agencies in this regard, usage of Event Centres, Hotels and other public buildings will now be closely monitored.
“This is aimed at ensuring that they are not used by illegal organizations for gatherings capable of disrupting the peace of the nation’s capital,” the statement said.
The FCTA specifically advised operators of event centres and hospitality facilities to verify the legal status of organisations seeking to rent their premises and ensure they deal only with recognised political leaderships.
The administration emphasised that, particularly during the current political season, facility owners must transact only with political party executives officially recognised by the Independent National Electoral Commission.
“For instance, in this political season, owners of event centres and hotels in particular must ensure that they only deal with INEC-recognised leadership of political parties in respect of the use of their facilities, and proper records of transactions must be kept,” the statement added.
The dispute highlights growing tensions within the opposition landscape as political parties intensify preparations ahead of the 2027 general elections.
