Fresh divisions have emerged within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) following a controversial move by a faction of the party to endorse former President Goodluck Jonathan as its presidential candidate for the 2027 election, sparking a fierce war of words among rival camps and raising concerns over the party’s unity ahead of the polls.
The dispute pits supporters of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, against the Tanimu Turaki-led Interim National Working Committee, with both sides exchanging accusations over the legality of a planned convention in Abuja aimed at ratifying Jonathan’s candidacy.
Tensions escalated after the Turaki-led faction announced plans to hold a special convention in Abuja on Saturday to formally endorse Jonathan. The announcement came barely a week after Senator Sandy Onor was screened, cleared and presented as the PDP’s presidential candidate, creating confusion over the party’s official position and intensifying the leadership struggle within its ranks.
Reacting to the development, the faction recognised by the Wike-backed leadership dismissed reports of the planned convention, describing them as misleading and unauthorised.
In a statement issued by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Jungudo Mohammed, the PDP maintained that no convention, meeting, or process had been approved by any recognised organ of the party to endorse Jonathan for the 2027 presidential race.
Mohammed urged party members, stakeholders and the public to disregard reports of the planned endorsement, insisting that the PDP had already concluded its primary processes for elective positions in accordance with the Electoral Act, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) guidelines, and the party’s constitution.
He also called on Jonathan to publicly distance himself from the endorsement plan, arguing that such a move would help preserve the integrity of the democratic process and protect the former president’s reputation.
According to the statement, security agencies should investigate those responsible for circulating information about the convention and prosecute anyone found culpable of attempting to create political tension and undermine the party’s image.
The PDP leadership further warned that it would not tolerate activities capable of dragging the party into disrepute through misinformation, falsehood, and unauthorised political engagements.
However, the Turaki-led faction insisted that the convention would proceed as scheduled and accused Wike of attempting to frustrate the gathering by allegedly intimidating the management of A Class Event Centre, the venue selected for the event.
In a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Ini Ememobong, the faction alleged that the FCT minister threatened the event centre with sanctions if it allowed the convention to take place on its premises.
The group stated that it had fulfilled all contractual obligations for the use of the facility and had duly informed relevant security agencies about the event. It added that its lawyers had been directed to engage the management of the venue over the alleged interference.
The faction maintained that the special convention to ratify Jonathan’s candidacy would hold at A Class Event Centre in Wuse 2, Abuja, stressing that Nigeria remained a democratic nation governed by law and not by intimidation or political coercion.
It also argued that the FCT minister lacked the legal authority to determine where political organisations could hold their meetings, describing any attempt to prevent the event as undemocratic and contrary to democratic freedoms.
Meanwhile, the Federal Capital Territory Administration warned that it could revoke the title documents of event centres, hotels, and public facilities used by organisations deemed illegal.
In a statement issued by the Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media to the FCT Minister, Lere Olayinka, the administration said the measure was aimed at strengthening security and preventing gatherings capable of disrupting peace within the Federal Capital Territory.
The FCTA urged owners of event centres and similar facilities to verify the legitimacy of organisations seeking to use their premises, warning that failure to comply with the directive could attract severe consequences, including the revocation of land titles.
