PDP Faces Internal Turmoil Over Support for Jonathan’s Candidacy
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is experiencing a significant crisis as Nyesom Wike, the Federal Capital Territory Minister, has issued stern warnings to groups considering backing former President Goodluck Jonathan for the 2027 presidential election. This latest development has heightened tensions within the party.
Wike Threatens Venue Operations Amid Controversy
Wike also threatened to suspend the operations of Abuja’s Class A event center should it permit the Tanim Turaki-led faction to use the facility for their planned events. This comes after the Turaki group announced their intention to convene a party convention aimed at endorsing Jonathan’s candidacy this Saturday.
Turaki Group Refutes Claims of Impropriety
While expressing loyalty to Wike, the Turaki group denied any wrongdoing and urged security agencies to intervene to prevent such meetings from occurring. In a statement released on Friday, the PDP’s National Publicity Secretary, Jundo Mohammed, described the situation as “misleading and baseless.”
PDP Clarifies Status of Conventions and Meetings
Mohammed emphasized that the leadership of the PDP has neither planned nor authorized such conventions or meetings. He urged party members, stakeholders, and the public to disregard the misinformation as it could sow discord within the party, asserting that all necessary primaries have been conducted in compliance with the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) regulations.
Call for Jonathan to Distinguish Himself from Controversy
The group further called for Jonathan to distance himself from this situation to safeguard the integrity of Nigeria’s democratic processes. They urged security agencies to promptly investigate the origins of these misleading reports, deeming them attempts to create political instability in the country.
Commitment to Internal Democracy and Rule of Law
Mohammed reiterated that the PDP remains dedicated to internal democracy, due process, and the rule of law, asserting that the party will not tolerate any actions that undermine its reputation. He encouraged the public to rely exclusively on official communications from authorized party representatives.
Turaki Group Stands Firm Against Intimidation
In response, the Turaki group affirmed their resilience against Wike’s threats. Ini Emebon, the National Public Relations Secretary for the Interim National Working Committee of the PDP, stated that they have met all legal requirements for their upcoming event and have notified relevant authorities of their intentions. They assert that the planned convention will proceed as scheduled, reaffirming Nigeria’s commitment to the rule of law.
Invitation to Party Members for Scheduled Event
The Turaki group emphasized that there is no legal backing for the FCT Minister to determine which events may take place or where they should occur. They invited party leaders, members of the National Executive Committee, and other key stakeholders to attend the convention as planned, reinforcing their belief that all Nigerians must resist attempts to stifle political dissent.
