A faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) led by former Minister of Special Duties, Tanimu Turaki, on Saturday changed the venue of its planned special convention after security operatives sealed off the initially proposed location in Abuja.
The faction had earlier scheduled the convention at the A-Class Event Centre in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), but was forced to relocate after police officers blocked access to the facility.
Following the change of venue, members of the faction proceeded with the convention and ratified former President Goodluck Jonathan as their presidential candidate for the 2027 general election.
The brief event, which lasted less than 20 minutes, saw a close ally of the former president, Fred Agbedi, receive the certificate of ratification on Jonathan’s behalf. Jonathan was not present at the gathering.
The motion for Jonathan’s ratification was moved by the Chairman of the faction’s Forum of State Chairmen, Tony Aziegbemi, and seconded by former Aviation Minister, Senator Sanusi Daggash.
Several prominent figures aligned with the Turaki-led faction attended the event, including Prof. Jerry Gana, former Senate President Adolphus Wabara, and other party stakeholders.
Earlier in the day, police officers had blocked access to the original convention venue, positioning patrol vehicles along major roads leading to the facility and restricting movement from both the Wuse and Maitama areas of Abuja.
The security action followed a warning issued on Friday by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, who cautioned hotels, event centres, and owners of public facilities against allowing what he described as illegal organisations to use their premises.
In a statement released by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media, Lere Olayinka, the minister maintained that party factions not recognised by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) should not be permitted to hold activities in public venues within the FCT.
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