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PDP changes convention venue, ratifies GEJ as 2027 presidential candidate
The Turaki-led faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has changed the venue of its special convention while also ratifying former Nigerian president Goodluck Jonathan as its candidate for the 2027 presidential election.
The move comes after police on Saturday barricaded access roads leading to the former venue of the convention, depriving members of the party and other road users unconnected to the party’s event from gaining access to the venue, A-Class Event Centre in Abuja.
The convention which did not last for long at the new venue, saw Fred Agbedi, a close associate of the former president receiving the certificate on Jonathan’s behalf.
Present at the event were Prof Jerry Gana, Tanimu Turaki, Adolphus Wabara, and several others who are loyal to Turaki-led faction.
Several police vans had been used to barricade roads leading off from the Wuse and Maitama axis, into the premises of the former venue.
Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Nyesome Wike had on Friday warned hotels and event centres not to grant illegal political parties or organisations access to their properties, for security reasons in the FCT.
The PDP had in turn accused the FCT minister of attempt to halt its planned event, stating that the management of the event centre had informed the party’s leadership of pressure being mounted on them to stop the gathering from holding in the venue.
The Turaki-led PDP said in the statement that payment and conditions to use the venue for its event were already met and fulfilled, adding that security agencies had been informed of the planned convention scheduled for Saturday May 30, 2026.
In the statement which was signed by the party’s national publicity secretary, Ini Ememobong, the PDP said it had instructed its lawyers to remind the management of the event center of the subsisting agreement signed by both parties, insisting that the convention would proceed despite intimidation.
“We are certain that Nigeria is a country governed by law, and any attempt to use force to suppress political dissent and opposition is an aberration which must be resisted by all people of good conscience,” the statement added.
