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A faction of the Peoples Democratic Party has accused the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, and President Bola Tinubu of orchestrating a police blockade to prevent the party from holding its special national convention in Abuja.
The Peoples Democratic Party faction led by Kabiru Tanimu Turaki said in a statement that the management of an Abuja event centre cancelled its booking after receiving “an invitation and threat” from Wike.
“The party strongly condemned the brazen use of unmitigated power by officials of this administration, especially the Minister of the FCT, Nyesom Wike, with the obvious support of the President,” PDP wrote on Saturday.
By 7 pm on Friday, more than 20 truckloads of police officers were deployed to block the road leading to the venue, the party said.
Footage from Abuja has shown chaos near the Turaki-led faction’s presidential primary venue. A group carrying sticks reportedly attempted to disperse supporters, while security personnel intervened to prevent clashes. @OJ_Imarayi reports. https://t.co/flmTmzhySe pic.twitter.com/T8JYy4aYTQ
— News Central TV (@NewsCentralTV) May 30, 2026
The move followed a directive by the Federal Capital Territory Administration requiring event centres to deal only with political party leaderships recognised by the Independent National Electoral Commission.
Properties hosting meetings of “unregistered or unlawful organisations” could face revocation of their title documents, the FCTA warned on Friday.
Despite the disruptions, former president Goodluck Jonathan was “unanimously affirmed” as the PDP’s presidential candidate for the 2027 election, the party said.
A Certificate of Return was issued, signed by Turaki. PDP noted that, ‘Furthermore, the formal presentation and flag-giving ceremonies will be slated subsequently.”
It also noted that it aborted plans to resist the police occupation following an appeal by elder statesmen.
“Considering the very passionate appeal by elder statesmen, the party aborted the earlier plan to resist the security occupation of the event centre and forcefully use the venue for the ceremonies,” PDP added.
“The elders preferred that we show maturity in the face of provocation and rather defeat our adversaries at the polls instead of engaging in unnecessary physical struggle.
“They admonished that when a mad person runs away with your cloth, you do not chase the deranged person naked; otherwise, those who see the chase will simply conclude that two mad people are running.”
The PDP called on Tinubu “to rein in his fear of impending loss and take practical steps to deescalate the political tensions which have been an unwarranted addition to the already heightened political temperature in the country.”
EXCERPTS FROM THE SPECIAL NATIONAL CONVENTION OF THE PEOPLES DEMOCRATIC PARTY HELD ON MAY 30, 2026, IN ABUJA
INTRODUCTION
The Peoples Democratic Party, @OfficialPDPNig under the leadership of Kabiru Tanimu Turaki, had duly
served the Independent National Electoral Commission… pic.twitter.com/4LncdbRWE5— Official PDP Nigeria (@OfficialPDPNig) May 30, 2026
