A fresh controversy has erupted within the Peoples Democratic Party following moves by a faction of the party to endorse former President Goodluck Jonathan for the 2027 presidential election.
The disagreement has deepened the leadership crisis in the opposition party, with the camp loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, and a rival group led by former Minister of Special Duties, Tanimu Turaki, exchanging accusations over the planned endorsement.
The Turaki-led faction had announced plans to hold a special convention in Abuja on Saturday to formally adopt Jonathan as its preferred candidate for the next presidential poll.
The announcement, however, drew swift opposition from the PDP leadership aligned with Wike, which maintained that no recognised organ of the party had authorised such a gathering.
In a statement issued by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Jungudo Mohammed, the faction described reports of the proposed endorsement as misleading and urged party members and the public to disregard them.
The group also appealed to Jonathan to publicly distance himself from the initiative, arguing that any attempt to project him as the party’s candidate outside established procedures could damage the integrity of the PDP’s internal democratic process.
Mohammed further called on security agencies to investigate those behind the development, insisting that the party had already conducted its primary elections in accordance with its constitution, the Electoral Act and guidelines issued by the Independent National Electoral Commission.
But the Turaki-led camp accused Wike of attempting to frustrate the planned event by allegedly influencing the management of the proposed venue, A-Class Event Centre in Abuja, to deny the faction access to the facility.
In a statement signed by its spokesman, Ini Ememobong, the faction insisted that all requirements for the convention had been fulfilled, including payment for the venue and notification of relevant security agencies, adding that the event would proceed as scheduled.
Meanwhile, the Federal Capital Territory Administration warned hotels, event centres and owners of public facilities against hosting activities organised by groups it described as unlawful, stressing that any property used for such purposes could face sanctions, including the revocation of land titles.
0 Comments