𝐃𝐞𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐏𝐃𝐏 𝐅𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧, 𝐏𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬 𝐂𝐞𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐎𝐟 𝐑𝐞𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐧 𝐓𝐨 𝐉𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐧 𝐃𝐞𝐬𝐩𝐢𝐭𝐞 𝐇𝐢𝐬 𝐀𝐛𝐬𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞

𝐁𝐘 𝐍𝐈𝐆𝐄𝐑𝐃𝐄𝐋𝐓𝐀 𝐕𝐎𝐈𝐂𝐄,

𝐍𝐢𝐠𝐞𝐫 𝐃𝐞𝐥𝐭𝐚, 𝐍𝐢𝐠𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐚.

Fresh political tension erupted in Abuja on Saturday as a faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) loyal to former Minister of Special Duties, Kabiru Turaki, ratified former President Goodluck Jonathan as its sole presidential candidate for the 2027 election despite heavy resistance from the rival Nyesom Wike-backed faction.

In a dramatic twist, armed police officers stormed and barricaded the A-Class Event Centre in Wuse 2, Abuja — the original venue scheduled for the special convention — blocking all access roads and preventing delegates and guests from entering the premises.

The security action followed strong opposition from the faction aligned with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, which had earlier declared the convention “illegal, unauthorised and misleading.”

The Wike-backed camp, currently recognised by INEC, insisted that it had already concluded its own presidential process and endorsed former Cross River Senator, Sandy Onor, as its consensus presidential candidate for 2027.

Days before the convention, the FCT Administration under Wike had also threatened to revoke licences of event centres and hotels hosting political activities organised by factions not recognised by INEC, a move that further escalated the crisis within the opposition party.

Refusing to back down, the Turaki-led faction relocated the convention to a private apartment in Area 10, Garki, where the ratification exercise was hurriedly conducted under tight security.

Despite Goodluck Jonathan’s absence and his continued silence over the entire endorsement saga, party leaders proceeded with the exercise and presented a Certificate of Return through Bayelsa lawmaker, Fred Agbedi, who received it on behalf of the former president.

The motion adopting Jonathan was moved by Tony Aziegbemi, Chairman of the PDP Forum of State Chairmen, and seconded by former Aviation Minister, Sanusi Dagash.

Several prominent PDP figures attended the controversial gathering, including former Minister Jerry Gana, PDP Board of Trustees Chairman Adolphus Wabara, and loyalists of the Turaki camp.

Meanwhile, the Wike-led faction intensified attacks on the process, accusing the rival group of attempting to destabilise the party and create confusion ahead of the 2027 elections.

The deepening crisis has further exposed the widening crack inside the PDP, with multiple factions, parallel conventions, and rival presidential candidates now battling for control of Nigeria’s main opposition party.

Political observers say the unfolding drama could weaken the PDP ahead of 2027 if the internal war between the Wike camp and anti-Wike forces remains unresolved.