The Tanimu Turaki-led faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has slammed the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike, over the FCT Administration’s fresh directive.
NPO Reported that Wike had in a statement issued on Friday by his spokesperson, Lere Olayinka, warned owners of Event Centres, Hotels and other public buildings in the capital city to stop offering their facilities for use by political party leaders not recognised by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).Politics
The minister noted that allocations of lands in the FCT are strictly to carry out lawful activities and not host what it labelled illegal organisations.
He threatened that title documents of any event center, hotel or public building that is used for the gathering of illegal organizations will be revoked.
Reacting to the development in a statement issued by its National Publicity Secretary, Ini Ememobong, the Turaki-led PDP faction called out Wike over the directive.
The PDP alleged that the event centre it scheduled for its presidential candidate ramification ceremony on Saturday has been threatened to be shut down as a result of the directive.
“We have been informed by the proprietors of A Class Event Centre of the threat by the Minister of the FCT, Nyesom Wike, to shut down their business premises if the Peoples Democratic Party @OfficialPDPNig is allowed to use their hall for our presidential candidate ratification ceremonies.
“We state here, and for the record, that we had furnished consideration in full to consummate the earlier offer and acceptance.
“Furthermore, we had duly notified all relevant security agencies about the event. We have directed our lawyers to write, reminding A Class Event Centre of these facts.” The factional PDP spokesperson said.
While reaffirming that the event billed to ratify the candidacy of former President, Goodluck Jonathan, the Turaki-led PDP held that Wike has no legal right to determine events that should be held and where they should be held.
“Having satisfied these requirements, we reiterate that the special convention to ratify the presidential candidature of President Goodluck Jonathan will hold as scheduled on Saturday, 30th May, 2026, at A Class Event Centre, Wuse 2, Abuja, by 10 a.m.
“We are certain that Nigeria is a country governed by law, and any attempt to use force to suppress political dissent and opposition is an aberration which must be resisted by all people of good conscience.
“There is nowhere in our laws where the Minister of the FCT is empowered to determine events that should be held and where they should be held.
“Such limitless powers are strange to a democratic republic, but available and operational only under an emperor – a title that President Tinubu has been struggling to deny.” The statement read further.
The faction invited all party leaders from the states, NEC members, and other critical stakeholders to attend the event as scheduled.