Dare Babalola
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has alleged an attempt by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, to frustrate its planned presidential candidate ratification ceremony scheduled for Saturday in Abuja.
In a statement issued on Friday by the party’s Interim National Working Committee, the PDP claimed that the management of A Class Event Centre informed the party of threats to shut down the facility if it proceeded with hosting the event.
The party said it had fully paid for the venue and fulfilled all necessary requirements, including notifying relevant security agencies about the planned gathering.
According to the statement signed by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Comrade Ini Ememobong, lawyers acting on behalf of the PDP have been directed to remind the event centre of the existing agreement between both parties.
The opposition party insisted that its special convention to ratify the presidential candidature of former President Goodluck Jonathan would hold as scheduled on Saturday, May 30, 2026, at A Class Event Centre, Wuse 2, Abuja, by 10 a.m.
The PDP described any attempt to prevent the event from holding as an attack on democratic principles and political opposition.
“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 read.
The party further argued that the FCT Minister had no legal authority to determine which events could be held at private venues, warning against what it described as the abuse of power.
The PDP also called on party leaders, members of the National Executive Committee and other stakeholders across the country to attend the convention as planned.
