The faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) led by former Minister of Special Duties, Tanimu Turaki, has ratified former President Goodluck Jonathan as its presidential candidate for the 2027 general election after relocating its convention venue in Abuja.
According to Channels Television, the group swiftly moved its convention on Saturday after police barricaded access to the originally scheduled venue, the A-Class Event Centre in Abuja.
The convention, which reportedly lasted less than 20 minutes, concluded with Jonathan’s nomination being ratified. A certificate of nomination was received on his behalf by his ally, Fred Agbedi.
Prominent figures present at the gathering included Jerry Gana, Tanimu Turaki and Adolphus Wabara, alongside other loyalists of the Turaki-led faction.
The relocation followed a police operation that blocked the two access roads leading to the A-Class Event Centre from the Wuse and Maitama areas of Abuja. Several police vehicles were stationed at the routes, preventing convention delegates and other motorists from entering the premises.
The development came a day after the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, warned hotels and event centres against hosting what he described as illegal political groups or organisations, citing security concerns within the Federal Capital Territory.
In response, the PDP faction accused Wike of attempting to frustrate its planned convention. The group said the management of the event centre informed organisers that pressure was being applied to stop the gathering from taking place.
The faction maintained that it had paid for the venue, met all necessary requirements and formally notified security agencies about the event scheduled for May 30, 2026, in Wuse 2, Abuja.
Despite the disruption and venue change, the convention proceeded, culminating in Jonathan’s ratification as the faction’s candidate for the 2027 presidential election.
