A fresh crisis has emerged within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as the faction led by former Minister of Special Duties, Kabiru Tanimu Turaki, insists on proceeding with plans to ratify former President Goodluck Jonathan as the party’s presidential candidate for the 2027 general election.
The ratification ceremony is scheduled to hold today in Abuja despite strong opposition from a rival PDP faction backed by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, and recognised by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
The Turaki-led Interim National Working Committee (INWC) had fixed a special convention at the A-Class Event Centre in Wuse District, Abuja, where Jonathan is expected to be formally endorsed as the faction’s sole presidential candidate.
However, the event has been overshadowed by warnings from the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), which threatened to sanction hotels, event centres and other public facilities that permit organisations not recognised by INEC to use their premises for political activities.
Speaking on behalf of the Turaki faction, the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Ini Ememobong, alleged that the management of the venue informed them of pressure from the FCT Minister’s office to deny the group access to the facility.
Ememobong stated that the party had fulfilled all contractual obligations, including payment for the venue and notification of relevant security agencies. He maintained that the convention would proceed as planned, stressing that no public official has the legal authority to determine which political meetings can take place in the Federal Capital Territory.
He described any attempt to stop the gathering as a threat to democratic freedoms and political pluralism, arguing that Nigeria’s constitution guarantees freedom of association and political participation.
The faction also called on members of the National Executive Council (NEC), state party leaders and other stakeholders to attend the convention and demonstrate support for what it described as a lawful political process.
Wike-Backed PDP Rejects Convention
Meanwhile, the PDP faction loyal to Nyesom Wike has dismissed reports of the planned convention, describing them as unauthorised and misleading.
In a statement issued by its National Publicity Secretary, Jungudo Haruna Mohammed, the faction insisted that the PDP had already concluded all primary elections, including the presidential primary, in accordance with the Electoral Act, INEC guidelines and the party’s constitution.
According to the group, no recognised organ of the PDP authorised any convention aimed at endorsing Jonathan or any other presidential aspirant.
The faction accused the organisers of attempting to create confusion within the political landscape and urged party members and the public to disregard the planned gathering.
It further called on former President Goodluck Jonathan to publicly distance himself from the exercise, warning that participation could undermine both the democratic process and his political legacy.
FCTA Tightens Monitoring of Political Activities
The controversy comes amid a broader move by the FCTA to regulate the use of public facilities for political activities.
In a statement signed by the Senior Special Assistant to the FCT Minister on Public Communication and Social Media, Lere Olayinka, the administration warned operators of event centres, hotels and similar facilities against providing venues to organisations it described as “illegal.”
The FCTA said land allocations within the territory are meant for lawful activities and announced plans to closely monitor the use of event centres and public buildings.
Owners of such facilities were advised to verify the legal status of groups seeking to use their premises and to ensure that political organisations are recognised by INEC before approving bookings.
Implications for the PDP
The latest development highlights the deepening divisions within the PDP as political parties begin positioning ahead of the 2027 elections. The emergence of rival leadership structures and competing claims to legitimacy could further weaken the opposition party’s ability to present a united front against the ruling government.
Political analysts say the dispute may eventually require intervention from the courts, INEC, or senior party stakeholders to determine which faction has the legal authority to act on behalf of the PDP.
For now, attention remains focused on Abuja, where the Turaki-led faction is expected to test both its political strength and its resolve by proceeding with the planned ratification of former President Goodluck Jonathan despite mounting opposition and administrative pressure.
