Wike allegedly threatens to seal event centre where Jonathan will emerge PDP consensus candidate

The Tanimu Turaki-led faction of the Peoples Democratic Party has accused FCT Minister Nyesom Wike of threatening to shut down ‘A’ Class Event Centre, where it plans to declare former President Goodluck Jonathan its presidential candidate for the 2027 election.

In a statement signed by Comrade Ini Ememobong, National Publicity Secretary titled “We Will Resist Every Attempt to Intimidate Us”, the faction said owners of ‘A’ Class Event Centre informed it that Wike threatened to shut down the venue if Saturday’s event went ahead.

The statement reads: “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.

“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.

“We invite party leaders from the states, NEC members, and other critical stakeholders to attend the event as scheduled.”