BREAKING: PDP Dares Wike, Vows to Ratify Jonathan’s Candidacy at Scheduled Venue

The Interim National Working Committee of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has dared the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, vowing to proceed with its special convention to ratify the presidential candidacy of former President Goodluck Jonathan despite threats of a shutdown.

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The faction aiming to ratify Jonathan is backed by Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde, while a rival faction backed by Wike is currently recognized by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

Earlier on Friday, FCT Minister Nyesom Wike warned owners of hotels, event centers, and public facilities in Abuja to only host events organized by political party leaderships officially recognized by INEC.

In a statement issued by his media aide, Lere Olayinka, the FCT Administration (FCTA) stated that the directive was a security measure designed to closely monitor public buildings and prevent gatherings by “illegal organizations” that could disrupt public peace.

The minister warned that compliance is mandatory, threatening to revoke the land titles of properties that violate the order.

“For instance, in this political season, owners of Event Centres and Hotels in particular must ensure that they only deal with Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) recognised leadership of political parties in respect of the use of their facilities… Failure to comply with this directive will result to revocation of the title documents such properties,” the FCTA statement read.

In a swift response, the Makinde-backed PDP faction accused Wike of behaving like an “emperor” and using state force to suppress political opposition.

Through a press statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Comrade Ini Ememobong, the party revealed that the management of the chosen venue—A Class Event Centre in Wuse 2, Abuja—had been threatened with a business shutdown by the FCT Minister if they allowed the PDP to use the hall.

Maintaining that full financial consideration had already been paid and all relevant security agencies had been notified, the PDP declared that the ratification ceremony will go ahead as planned.

The party wrote:

WE WILL RESIST EVERY ATTEMPT TO INTIMIDATE US
We have been informed by the proprietors of A Class Event Centre of the threat by the Minister of the FCT, Nyesom Wike, to shut down their business premises if the Peoples Democratic Party @OfficialPDPNig is allowed to use their hall for our presidential candidate ratification ceremonies.

We state here, and for the record, that we had furnished consideration in full to consummate the earlier offer and acceptance. Furthermore, we had duly notified all relevant security agencies about the event. We have directed our lawyers to write, reminding A Class Event Centre of these facts.

Having satisfied these requirements, we reiterate that the special convention to ratify the presidential candidature of President Goodluck Jonathan will hold as scheduled on Saturday, 30th May, 2026, at A Class Event Centre, Wuse 2, Abuja, by 10 a.m.

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. There is nowhere in our laws where the Minister of the FCT is empowered to determine events that should be held and where they should be held. Such limitless powers are strange to a democratic republic, but available and operational only under an emperor – a title that President Tinubu has been struggling to deny.
We invite party leaders from the states, NEC members, and other critical stakeholders to attend the event as scheduled.

Signed:
Comrade Ini Ememobong, mnipr
National Publicity Secretary
Interim National Working Committee
People’s Democratic Party
29052026