Security operatives have sealed off the A-Class Event Centre in Wuse 2, Abuja, preventing access to the venue scheduled to host the ratification of former President Goodluck Jonathan as the presidential candidate of a faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Police vans were reportedly deployed to the facility on Friday night, effectively restricting entry ahead of the planned political gathering.
The development comes amid an escalating dispute between the PDP faction aligned with Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde and the camp loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike. Despite warnings from the minister, the Makinde-backed faction had insisted on proceeding with the special convention to endorse Jonathan.
The Wike-aligned faction remains the group officially recognised by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). However, the Makinde camp has continued to maintain its legitimacy, citing a recent Supreme Court ruling concerning the suspension of leaders within the Wike-backed faction.
Earlier, Wike directed owners of hotels, event centres, and other public facilities in Abuja not to host events organised by political groups lacking official recognition from INEC.
In a statement issued through his media aide, Lere Olayinka, the FCT Administration defended the directive, describing it as a security measure aimed at preventing gatherings by unauthorised groups that could threaten public order.
The minister also warned that any property owner found violating the directive could face sanctions, including the revocation of land titles.
Reacting before the venue was shut down, the Makinde-backed PDP faction accused Wike of deploying state institutions to stifle opposition activities. The faction’s National Publicity Secretary, Comrade Ini Ememobong, alleged that the management of the A-Class Event Centre had been threatened with a complete shutdown of its business operations by the FCT minister if it proceeded with hosting the event.
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