Turaki camp accuses Wike of intimidation as venue for Jonathan event changes

The Tanimu Turaki-led faction of the PDP has moved its special convention venue in Abuja to Area 10 after alleged security pressure and regulatory directives disrupted plans to ratify former President Goodluck Jonathan as its 2027 presidential candidate.

The faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) led by Tanimu Turaki has shifted the venue of its special convention scheduled to ratify former President Goodluck Jonathan as its presidential candidate for the 2027 election. The event was initially billed for the A-Class Park and Event Centre in Abuja but was moved to Area 10 in the Federal Capital Territory after police officers reportedly blocked access roads leading to the original venue.

Both security personnel and party officials confirmed the development to The Cable. The move comes after the Turaki-led Interim National Working Committee insisted it would resist any attempt to intimidate its members, maintaining that no pressure would deter its plan to endorse Jonathan. The faction had earlier announced that the convention would proceed on Saturday as scheduled.

In a related development, the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) directed owners of hotels, event centres and other public facilities to only engage with political party leaderships recognised by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). Reacting, the Turaki faction, through its National Publicity Secretary, Mr. Ini Ememobong, alleged interference, claiming that the proprietors of A-Class Event Centre had been pressured, stating: “We state here, and for the record, that we had furnished consideration in full to consummate the earlier offer and acceptance.”

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