The Kabiru Tanimu Turaki-led faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has unanimously affirmed former President Goodluck Jonathan as its presidential candidate and flag bearer for the 2027 general elections.
The decision was reached during an emergency stakeholder meeting in Abuja following a tense standoff that led to the blockade of the party’s original convention venue by security forces.
According to a statement issued by the National Publicity Secretary of the Interim National Working Committee, Comrade Ini Ememobong, the party had duly served the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and relevant security agencies with the statutory notices required for the selection of its candidates.
The party had also fully paid for the use of the A-Class Event Centre in Abuja, securing access for preparatory activities.
However, the opposition party claimed that the management of the event centre abruptly cancelled the booking, citing alleged threats from the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike. The minister reportedly threatened to revoke the facility’s Certificate of Occupancy and demolish the structure if the PDP convention was permitted to take place.
The situation escalated when the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) issued a public statement warning that business titles would be revoked for premises hosting events deemed “unlawful” by the administration. By Friday evening, more than 20 truckloads of police officers were deployed to seal off the access road to the venue, severely disrupting traffic.
In response to the lockdown, the PDP leadership convened an emergency meeting comprising the Board of Trustees, the Interim National Working Committee, the National Executive Committee, state chairmen, and various candidates to review the situation.
Following the advice of elder statesmen, the party resolved not to physically resist the security blockade.
“The elders preferred that we show maturity in the face of provocation and rather defeat our adversaries at the polls,” the statement read, using a traditional idiom to warn against engaging in an undignified public struggle with state actors.
Moving forward with their primary objective, party stakeholders formally moved and seconded a motion to affirm Dr Goodluck Jonathan as their standard-bearer for the 2027 presidential poll. The formal presentation and flag-giving ceremonies have been postponed to a later date.
The PDP strongly condemned what it described as a “brazen use of unmitigated power” by FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, alleging that his actions carried the implicit backing of the presidency. The party warned that such measures, if left unchecked, risk fostering a “full-blown dictatorship within a democracy.”
Furthermore, the opposition party challenged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to de-escalate the rising political tension across the country, attributing the administration’s actions to a fear of electoral defeat.
Expressing readiness for the upcoming general elections, the PDP tasked its Interim National Working Committee with ensuring full participation in the 2027 polls. The committee was also directed to sensitise both local and international communities to what it termed the “asphyxiation of the opposition” and the deliberate promotion of a one-party state in Nigeria.
EXCERPTS FROM THE SPECIAL NATIONAL CONVENTION OF THE PEOPLES DEMOCRATIC PARTY HELD ON MAY 30, 2026, IN ABUJA
INTRODUCTION
The Peoples Democratic Party, @OfficialPDPNig under the leadership of Kabiru Tanimu Turaki, had duly
served the Independent National Electoral Commission with the statutory notices
concerning our activities to select candidates for all offices. Security agencies were also notified. The venue, A Class Event Centre, for the Special National Convention in Abuja was fully paid for, and the owners accepted the payment and granted access for preparatory activities.
Surprisingly, the management of the event centre called to cancel the booking, citing an invitation
and threat from the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, that their certificate
of occupancy would be revoked and their event centre demolished if the PDP event was allowed
to hold there. We reminded them of the subsisting contract with us and insisted that the event must go on as planned. The Federal Capital Territory Administration doubled down by issuing a statement conveying the threats of revocation of the titles of business premises hosting events considered by them as unlawful.
As if that was not enough, by 7 p.m. on Friday, 29th May, more than 20 truckloads of policemen were deployed to block the entire road where the event centre is located, forcing motorists to drive against traffic.
DECISION
Following this situation, the leaders of the party summoned an emergency meeting of all the organs of the party- the Board of Trustees, Members of the Interim National Working Committee, members of the National Executive Committee, State Chairmen, Gubernatorial and National Assembly Candidates of the party, and other critical stakeholders, where the
situation was assessed and it was decided as follows:
1. Considering the very passionate appeal by elder statesmen, the party aborted the earlier plan to resist the security occupation of the event centre and forcefully use the venue for the ceremonies. The elders preferred that we show maturity in the face of provocation and rather defeat our adversaries at the polls instead of engaging in unnecessary physical
struggle. They admonished that when a mad person runs away with your cloth, you do not chase the deranged person naked; otherwise, those who see the chase will simply conclude that two mad people are running.
2. Since the main activity of the day is the affirmation of President Goodluck Jonathan,the stakeholders continued with the plan and President Goodluck Jonathan was unanimously affirmed, after a motion was duly moved and seconded, as the presidential candidate and flag bearer of the Peoples Democratic Party for the 2027 presidential election.Furthermore, the formal presentation and flag-giving ceremonies will be slated subsequently.
3. The party strongly condemned the brazen use of unmitigated power by officials of this administration, especially the Minister of the FCT, Nyesom Wike, with the obvious support of the President. They opined that if left unchecked, full blown dictatorship will sprout within a democracy, which eventually may lead to the collapse of democracy.
4. This shameful oppression has validated the widely perceived fear of the PDP by the ruling party. Whereas other parties with leadership issues similar to ours have conducted their conventions without threats from the ruling party, the PDP is too feared to be allowed the constitutionally guaranteed right to meet.
5. The party calls on the President, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to rein in his fear of impending loss and take practical steps to deescalate the political tensions which have been an unwarranted addition to the already heightened political temperature in the country.
6. We call on all our party members to remain steadfast and committed to the ideals of our party, conscious that very soon this battle will be over, and we will be more than conquerors.
Conclusion
With the affirmation of our presidential candidate, we are now ready for the 2027 general elections, and we charge the Interim National Working Committee to take necessary steps to ensure the party’s full and effective participation in the next polls. Furthermore, we charge them to adequately sensitize the public (local and international) on the asphyxiation of the opposition and the promotion of a one-party state in Nigeria.
The Special National Convention hereby declares the Peoples Democratic Party united, prepared, and fully mobilized for the task of rescuing Nigeria through democratic means in the 2027 general elections.
Signed:
Comrade Ini Ememobong, mnipr
National Publicity Secretary
Interim National Working Committee
Peoples Democratic Party
30052026
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