Police Block Venue of PDP Faction’s Ratification Convention

Security operatives on Saturday blocked access roads leading to the A-Class Park and Event Centre in Abuja, the original venue for a Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) factional convention.

The Turaki-led faction had scheduled the convention for Saturday at the A-Class Park and Event Centre to ratify former President Goodluck Jonathan as its presidential candidate for the 2027 elections.

At the barricade, police officers told Cable News that the event had been called off, although party officials later said the gathering had been moved to another venue in Area 10, Abuja.

The development came as tensions heightened within the PDP, which is currently split into factions, with one bloc reportedly aligned with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, and recognised by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

Earlier, the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) had directed operators of hotels and event centres to only engage with political party leaderships recognised by INEC, warning that properties used by groups it described as illegal risk sanctions, including possible revocation of titles.

Despite the directive, the Turaki-led faction insisted the convention would proceed, saying it had fulfilled all requirements and notified security agencies.

In a statement issued earlier, the faction’s National Publicity Secretary, Ini Ememobong, said the party had complied with all formal processes and would not be deterred by threats.

He maintained that the ratification exercise for Jonathan would hold as planned, insisting that relevant security agencies had been duly informed and legal counsel had been engaged to communicate with the venue operators.

Ememobong also argued that no law empowered the FCT Minister to determine political activities or restrict where parties could hold lawful meetings within the capital.

The faction reaffirmed its position that the convention remained valid, while urging party leaders and stakeholders to attend the event as scheduled before the disruption at the venue.