The Tanimu Turaki faction of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) today outmanoeuvred the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike, who moved to block them from holding a ceremony to give ex-President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, the party’s certificate of return for the 2027 presidential election at a designated hotel in Abuja.
The faction did so by successfully going ahead with the event at its Garki office, also in Abuja.
Though Jonathan was absent and the certificate received on his behalf by a member of the House of Representatives from Bayelsa State, Hon. Fred Egbedi, he was duly named PDP presidential candidate for the election.
Jonathan’s candidacy was ratified at a special national convention organised by the faction led by Turaki,also today.
The faction had initially planned to hold the convention at the A-Class Park and Event Centre, Abuja.
But, the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), on getting wind of the plan, subsequently directed owners of hotels and events centres in the nation’s capital to engage only with political party leaderships recognised by Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), amid the internal crises and legal wrangling rocking the PDP over who between Wike and the Turaki camp should control the soul of the party.
Recall that Wike’s PDP faction is currently recognised by INEC.
So, earlier today, police officers blocked access roads leading to A-Class Park and Event Centre, forcing organisers to relocate the convention.
Party officials later announced that the event would hold at the faction’s office in Area 10, Garki, where delegates eventually ratified Jonathan’s nomination.
The faction said a date for the formal presentation of the party’s flag to Jonathan would be announced in due course.
*PHOTO CAPTION: Former President Jonathan (l) and Wike…when the going was smooth. File Photo.
