Police Block Roads As PDP Faction Moves To Ratify Goodluck Jonathan

Police officers blocked roads leading to the venue where a faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) planned to hold a special convention to confirm Goodluck Jonathan as its presidential candidate.

At the scene, officers stationed at the barricades told reporters that the event had been called off.

However, PDP members revealed that the convention was not cancelled but relocated to another site in Area 10, Abuja.

The PDP is divided into two groups, with a faction backed by FCT Minister Nyesom Wike recognised by the electoral body, while the other group is led by Kabiru Turaki.

Turaki’s faction had earlier scheduled the convention for Saturday at the A-Class Park and Event Centre in Abuja.

Before the event, the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) issued a directive instructing hotels, event centres, and other public facilities to only deal with political party leaders recognised by the electoral commission.

It also warned that any facility used by groups it considers illegal could lose its ownership rights.

Despite this, the Turaki-led group insisted it would go ahead with the event as planned.

Speaking on the situation, the faction’s publicity secretary, Ini Ememobong, said the organisers had fully paid for the venue and had informed security agencies about the gathering.

“We state here, and for the record, that we had furnished consideration in full to consummate the earlier offer and acceptance,” Ememobong said.

“Furthermore, we had duly notified all relevant security agencies about the event. We have directed our lawyers to write to A Class Event Centre, reminding them 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 am.

“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.”

Ememobong further argued that the minister has no legal power to decide which political meetings can or cannot be held in Abuja.

Below are photos of the police barricade at the roads leading to A-Class Park and Event Centre.

KanyiDaily recalls that a Federal High Court in Abuja recently ruled that Goodluck Jonathan is eligible to contest the 2027 presidential election.