Jonathan: Fresh crises hit PDP as Wike, Turaki groups clash over ratification 

A fresh crises has hit the  Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory FCT, issued a threat to against any group planning to ratify former President Goodluck Jonathan’s  bid to contest the 2027 presidential election.

The FCT Minister has also issued a statement threatening to shutdown the activities of the Class A event centre, Abuja, should they allow the Tanimu Turaki led group use its premises for the event. 

The Turaki group had on Thursday issued a statement that it will hold its convention on Saturday to ratify the candidature of the former President as the party’s presidential candidate. 

But the group loyal to Wike while denying knowledge of such convention, called on security agencies to stop such meetings. 

Jungudo Mohammed , National Publicity Secretary of the PDP loyal to Nyesom Wike, described the development as “misleading and unfounded”, in a statement issued on Friday. 

According to him ” The Party wishes to categorically state that no such convention, meeting, or process has been scheduled, approved, or endorsed by the leadership or any recognised organ of the Peoples Democratic Party.

“We therefore urge all party faithful, supporters, stakeholders, and members of the general public to disregard such false information, as it is misleading, unauthorised, and intended to create confusion within the polity.

“It is important for the avoidance of doubt to state that,  The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has successfully concluded all its primary elections, including those for Governorship, State Houses of Assembly, National Assembly, and the Presidential election primaries in accordance with INEC guidelines, the provisions of the Electoral Act and the Constitution of the Party. 

“All such exercises across the country were peacefully conducted and properly monitored and supervised by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). 

The group called on former President Goodluck Jonathan to publicly dissociate himself from this charade in order to protect the integrity of the democratic process and preserve the credibility he earned while serving the nation.

“We also call on relevant security agencies to swiftly investigate the source of these false reports and take appropriate action against the perpetrators whose motive is nothing but to create political tension in the country. 

He stated that the  party “will henceforth not fold its arms and allow the Party to be dragged into disrepute through falsehood, misinformation, and unauthorised political activities aimed at undermining its integrity and democratic structures.” 

He also declared that the Party remains totally committed to due process, internal democracy, and the rule of law in all its political activities and engagements, and will continue to protect the sanctity of its constitutional processes and decisions.

“Members of the public are therefore advised to rely only on official communications issued by duly authorized officials of the party” 

But in a swift reaction, the Tanimu Turaki led group insisted that it will not be intimidated by the threats 
Ini Ememobong, National Publicity Secretary
Interim National Working Committee People’s Democratic Party, insisted that it has satisfied all legal requirements for their scheduled event 

According to him, ” 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 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.

The group expressed confidence that Nigeria being a country governed by law, that ” attempt to use force to suppress political dissent and opposition is an aberration which must be resisted by all people of good conscience”

The group notes that there is nowhere in Nigeria’s 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.”