The leadership crisis rocking the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is set for a major showdown today as the Tanimu Turaki-led Interim National Working Committee (INWC) insists it will proceed with its National Convention to unveil former President Goodluck Jonathan as its 2027 presidential candidate.
The move comes despite a stern warning from the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), which has threatened to shut down venues and revoke the title documents of any facility hosting “illegal organizations.”
The Turaki-led bloc revealed that the management of the A Class Event Centre, the scheduled venue for the convention, had been cautioned by the FCTA. In a statement on Friday, Lere Olayinka, Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications to FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, warned hotels and event centers to deal only with political leadership recognized by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
The PDP is currently split into two antagonistic camps: the Abdulraham Mohammed-led National Working Committee (NWC), which enjoys the backing of FCT Minister Nyesom Wike and is recognized by INEC, and the Turaki-led INWC, which is supported by the Oyo State Governor.
The divide was further cemented earlier this week when the Abdulraham camp officially nominated Senator Sandy Onor as its presidential candidate. In a counter-move, the Turaki camp granted a waiver to former President Jonathan last week and scheduled today’s convention for his formal ratification.
Responding to the FCTA’s threats, the spokesperson for the Turaki-led bloc, Ini Ememobong, maintained that the group would not be intimidated. He stated that the faction had fulfilled all legal and administrative requirements for the use of the venue and had formally notified security agencies of the day’s proceedings.
“We have complied with all necessary protocols. The convention is a legitimate gathering of party faithful committed to the future of the PDP and the nation,” Ememobong said.
As tension mounts in the nation’s capital, all eyes are on the A Class Event Centre to see if security forces or FCTA officials will move to block the entrance, or if the unveiling of the former President will proceed as planned, further complicating the PDP’s path to the 2027 polls.
