The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has accused the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, of attempting to intimidate organizers of its planned presidential candidate ratification ceremony in Abuja. The party alleges that Wike threatened to shut down the venue scheduled for the event.
In a statement issued on Thursday by its National Publicity Secretary, Comrade Ini Ememobong, the PDP said it had fully paid for A Class Event Centre in Wuse 2, Abuja, and duly notified relevant security agencies ahead of the gathering. The party maintained that its special convention to ratify the presidential candidature of former President Goodluck Jonathan will proceed as scheduled on Saturday, May 30, 2026, at 10 a.m.
The PDP insisted that no authority has the power to stop lawful political activities in the Federal Capital Territory. According to the party, any attempt to interfere with or obstruct the event amounts to an assault on democratic principles and the right of association. Political stakeholders, members of the National Executive Committee (NEC), and supporters are expected to attend as planned.
The statement read in part: “We will resist every attempt to intimidate or frustrate our lawful political activities. The venue has been duly secured and all necessary arrangements have been concluded.”
The PDP further stressed that the ratification convention remains a key part of its internal process ahead of the 2027 general elections. However, the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, has yet to publicly respond to the allegations at the time of filing this report.
The planned convention comes amid ongoing internal tensions within the PDP, as different factions continue to assert control over the party’s structure and decision-making processes. Security arrangements around the venue have reportedly been heightened ahead of the event.
