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A faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) led by Tanimu Turaki has relocated the venue of its special convention and formally endorsed former President Goodluck Jonathan as its candidate for the 2027 presidential election.
The move followed the sealing off of the originally planned venue, A-Class Event Centre in Abuja, by security operatives. After relocating to a new venue, the faction quickly held the convention and ratified Jonathan’s candidacy in a session that lasted less than 20 minutes.
Although Jonathan was absent from the event, his ally, Fred Agbedi, received the certificate of endorsement on his behalf.
The motion to ratify Jonathan was moved by Tony Aziegbemi, chairman of the faction’s Forum of State Chairmen, and seconded by former Aviation Minister Senator Sanusi Daggash.
Prominent PDP figures present at the gathering included Prof. Jerry Gana, Adolphus Wabara, and other loyalists of the Turaki-led faction.
Earlier on Saturday, police officers blocked access to the initial convention venue, deploying patrol vehicles around the area and restricting movement from the Wuse and Maitama districts of Abuja.
The development came shortly after FCT Minister Nyesom Wike warned hotels, event centres, and owners of public facilities against hosting activities of political groups or factions not recognised by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
In a statement issued through his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media, Lere Olayinka, Wike maintained that only duly recognised political parties and organisations should be allowed to use public venues within the Federal Capital Territory.