The Tanimu Turaki-led faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has officially issued a certificate of return to former President Goodluck Jonathan, naming him the party’s presidential candidate for the 2027 general elections.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

In a statement released on Saturday by National Publicity Secretary Ini Ememobong, the party clarified why it was forced to relocate its special convention. According to the party, the management of the A-Class Event Centre canceled their booking after receiving threats from FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, who allegedly warned that the facility’s certificate of occupancy would be revoked and the building demolished if the event proceeded. Faced with this pressure and the heavy security presence at the original site, PDP leadership held an emergency meeting and decided against a forced occupation of the venue.

Despite these obstacles, the faction successfully ratified Jonathan’s candidacy at an alternative location, where his certificate of return was formally issued. In their statement, the party strongly condemned Minister Wike’s actions, calling on President Bola Tinubu to intervene and caution the Minister to protect democratic processes. Looking ahead, the PDP declared that with Jonathan’s candidacy now confirmed, they are fully prepared and committed to participating in the 2027 electoral cycle.

In a swift move to bypass security restrictions, the PDP faction led by Tanimu Turaki successfully relocated its special convention and ratified former President Goodluck Jonathan as its 2027 presidential candidate. This development followed a police blockade earlier in the day that sealed off the group’s original choice, the A-Class Event Centre in Abuja.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

The rescheduled event was remarkably brief, concluding in under 20 minutes, with Jonathan’s ally, Fred Agbedi, accepting the nomination certificate on his behalf. Notably, the former president was not in attendance. The ratification process was formally moved by the faction’s Forum of State Chairmen chairman, Tony Aziegbemi, and seconded by former Aviation Minister, Senator Sanusi Daggash. Key figures supporting the Turaki faction, including Prof. Jerry Gana and Adolphus Wabara, were also in attendance.

This logistical pivot was necessitated by the police enforcement of a directive from the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike. Wike had previously warned owners of hotels and event centers against hosting what he characterized as “illegal political organizations,” specifically targeting factions not recognized by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). In accordance with this stance, security forces had effectively cordoned off all routes leading to the original venue from Wuse and Maitama, leaving it unclear if the organizers would proceed elsewhere until the convention was eventually held at a new location.

Tension gripped Abuja on Saturday as security personnel blocked all access roads to the A-Class Event Centre, the planned venue for a special convention organized by a PDP faction loyal to former Minister of Special Duties, Tanimu Turaki. The event was intended to ratify former President Goodluck Jonathan as the faction’s presidential candidate.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

Police deployed multiple patrol vehicles to seal off routes leading to the venue from both Wuse and Maitama, preventing faction members from reaching the location and causing significant travel disruptions for other motorists in the area.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      This crackdown follows a recent warning issued by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, who cautioned event centers and hotels against hosting what he termed illegal political organizations, citing security concerns. As of Saturday, security forces remained stationed at the site, and it remains uncertain if the organizers will attempt to hold the convention elsewhere.