The Turaki-led faction of the Peoples Democratic Party is urging President Bola Tinubu to step into Nigeria’s charged political climate after police officers blocked its planned convention in Abuja on Saturday. The event, originally set for the A-Class event centre, was forced to relocate after the police barricade, disrupting plans to ratify former President Goodluck Jonathan as the party’s 2027 presidential candidate.
In a brief ceremony that lasted no more than 20 minutes, Jonathan was cleared to run, with an ally, Fred Agbedi, accepting the certificate on his behalf. Prominent party figures like Prof Jerry Gana, Tanimu Turaki, and Adolphus Wabara attended the scaled-down gathering.
The PDP fired back in a statement, calling the police action “shameful oppression” that proves the ruling party fears the opposition. It pointed out that other parties with similar internal disputes have held conventions without such interference. The faction accused the government of stifling democracy, warning that unchecked power could lead to dictatorship.
The crackdown came after FCT Minister Nyesom Wike warned hotels and event centres against hosting illegal political activities, citing security concerns. The PDP blamed Wike for the disruption and suggested President Tinubu is backing these moves, raising fears for Nigeria’s democratic future.
