PDP Led by Turaki Claims Intimidation Amid Convention Chaos

By Luminous Jannamike

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) accused the Federal Government of obstructing its Special National Convention in Abuja by deploying heavy security forces and intimidating the venue, claims the party said on Saturday.

Despite the confrontation, PDP leaders convened an emergency meeting and proceeded with the convention’s core objective: the unanimous affirmation of former President Goodluck Jonathan as the party’s presidential candidate and flag bearer for the 2027 election. The formal flag‑giving ceremonies were postponed.

The party stated that it had notified the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and relevant security agencies about its candidate selection activities and that the A‑Class Event Centre in Abuja, which had been fully paid for, had been prepared for the convention.

According to the PDP, by 7 p.m. on Friday, more than 20 truckloads of police had been positioned to block the road leading to the event centre, forcing motorists to drive against traffic. The communiqué added that the event centre’s management later cancelled the booking after receiving a threat from the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, that the party’s certificate of occupancy would be revoked and the venue demolished if the PDP event proceeded.

“Surprisingly, the management of the event centre called to cancel the booking, citing an invitation and threat from the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, that their certificate of occupancy would be revoked and their event centre demolished if the PDP event was allowed to hold there,” the communiqué read.

The PDP reminded the management of the existing contract and insisted that the convention would go ahead as scheduled. It also alleged that the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) issued a statement threatening revocation of licences for businesses hosting events deemed unlawful.

In the midst of the standoff, the PDP leadership held an emergency meeting that included members of the Board of Trustees, Interim National Working Committee, National Executive Committee, state chairmen, governorship candidates, National Assembly candidates and other key stakeholders. After reviewing the situation, they decided not to confront security personnel or force access to the venue.

“Considering the very passionate appeal by elder statesmen, the party aborted the earlier plan to resist the security occupation of the event centre and forcefully use the venue for the ceremonies,” the communiqué stated. The elders urged restraint and cautioned against allowing political disagreements to turn into physical confrontation, saying, “They admonished that when a mad person runs away with your cloth, you do not chase the deranged person naked; otherwise, those who see the chase will simply conclude that two mad people are running.”

With the decision to avoid a physical challenge, stakeholders focused on the main activity of the day. “Since the main activity of the day is the affirmation of President Goodluck Jonathan, the stakeholders continued with the plan and President Goodluck Jonathan was unanimously affirmed, after a motion was duly moved and seconded, as the presidential candidate and flag bearer of the Peoples Democratic Party for the 2027 presidential election,” the PDP interim NWC said. The communiqué added that the formal presentation and flag‑giving ceremonies would be conducted at a later date.

The PDP also condemned what it described as the abuse of state power against opposition parties and warned of the implications for Nigeria’s democracy. “The party strongly condemned the brazen use of unmitigated power by officials of this administration, especially the Minister of the FCT, Nyesom Wike, with the obvious support of the President,” it said. The party argued that if such actions were left unchecked, they could encourage authoritarian tendencies capable of undermining democratic governance.

It further contended that the events surrounding the convention reflected a growing fear of the PDP within the ruling establishment. The communiqué stated, “This shameful oppression has validated the widely perceived fear of the PDP by the ruling party. Whereas other parties with leadership issues similar to ours have conducted their conventions without threats from the ruling party, the PDP is too feared to be allowed the constitutionally guaranteed right to meet.”

“We call on the President, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to rein in his fear of impending loss and take practical steps to de‑escalate the political tensions which have been an unwarranted addition to the already heightened political temperature in the country,” the communiqué added.

The PDP urged its members nationwide to remain steadfast and united, expressing confidence that the current challenges would ultimately strengthen the party ahead of the next general election. With Jonathan now affirmed as its presidential standard‑bearer, the PDP declared itself ready for the 2027 election and charged its Interim National Working Committee to ensure the party’s full participation in the polls.

It also vowed to draw local and international attention to what it described as the growing asphyxiation of opposition politics and efforts to turn Nigeria into a one‑party state.

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