The faction of the Peoples Democratic Party led by Taminu Turaki has insisted that its planned convention to ratify former President Goodluck Jonathan as the party’s presidential candidate for the 2027 election will go ahead despite warnings from the Federal Capital Territory Administration.
The group made this known on Friday in Abuja through a statement issued by its National Publicity Secretary, Ini Ememobong. The faction said it would not allow any attempt to stop the gathering scheduled to take place at A Class Event Centre in Wuse 2.
According to the party faction, the management of the event centre informed it about an alleged threat by the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, to shut down the facility if it hosted the political event. The group, however, maintained that it had already completed all arrangements required for the use of the venue.
The faction stated that payment for the hall had been made in full and relevant security agencies had already been notified about the planned convention. It also disclosed that its legal team had contacted the management of the event centre over the agreement reached for the use of the facility.
The group insisted that the ratification convention for Jonathan’s candidature would still take place on Saturday, May 30, 2026, at the Abuja venue as earlier planned.
The faction described any move to stop the gathering as an attack on political opposition and democratic rights. It argued that Nigeria operates under the rule of law and no authority should suppress lawful political activities.
The group also maintained that the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory does not have the constitutional power to decide which political gatherings can be held in Abuja.
The development followed a statement released earlier by the FCTA through the Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media to the FCT Minister, Lere Olayinka. In the statement, owners of event centres, hotels and other public facilities in Abuja were warned against allowing illegal organisations to use their properties for meetings or gatherings.
The administration warned that any property used by unlawful organisations risked losing its title documents. It added that land allocations within the Federal Capital Territory are meant for lawful activities only and sanctions would be taken against defaulters.
The disagreement has further deepened the crisis surrounding the PDP faction and its planned political activities ahead of the 2027 general election.