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Security operatives on Saturday sealed off the A-Class Event Centre in Abuja, the proposed venue of a special convention organised by a faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) loyal to former Minister of Special Duties, Tanimu Turaki, where former President Goodluck Jonathan was expected to be ratified as the party’s consensus presidential candidate for the 2027 election.

Police officers barricaded all access routes leading to the facility, deploying several patrol vans to block entry from both the Wuse and Maitama axes of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

The action effectively prevented party members, delegates, and supporters expected at the convention from gaining access to the venue. Other motorists and road users were also affected by the restrictions.

A police officer stationed at the entrance of the event centre told LEADERSHIP Weekend that no political event had been approved to hold at the facility.

“There is no such event holding here today,” the officer said when asked about the planned PDP gathering.

The development came barely 24 hours after the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, warned hotels, event centres, and owners of public facilities against allowing their premises to be used by what he described as illegal organisations.

In a statement issued on Friday by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media, Lere Olayinka, the minister stressed that land allocations within the FCT were meant strictly for lawful activities and warned that violators risked losing their property titles.

“Going forward, the title documents of any event centre, hotel, or public building used for the gathering of illegal organisations will be revoked,” the statement said.

According to Olayinka, the directive forms part of efforts to strengthen security and support law enforcement agencies in maintaining peace and public order within the nation’s capital.

He added that authorities would closely monitor the use of public venues to prevent gatherings capable of undermining security or disrupting public order.

With political activities ahead of the 2027 general election gathering momentum, the FCT Administration also urged owners of hotels and event centres to transact only with the leadership of political parties recognised by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and to maintain proper documentation of all bookings.

“Owners of these facilities are therefore urged to take cognisance of the legality of organisations seeking to use their facilities and their intended purpose before letting them out,” Olayinka stated.

“Failure to comply with this directive will result in the revocation of the title documents of such properties.”

The warning came a day before the Turaki-led PDP faction scheduled its convention to formally endorse former President Goodluck Jonathan as its consensus presidential candidate at the Abuja venue.

The factional move is expected to deepen divisions within the opposition party, as another bloc reportedly aligned with Wike has already adopted Sandy Onor as its preferred presidential candidate.

Security blocks access to Jonathan’s nomination venue. pic.twitter.com/KnMMD7Gg55

— TV Platinum (@TVPlatinum1) May 30, 2026

Turaki-Led PDP Changes Convention Venue After Police Barricade, Ratifies Jonathan As 2027 Presidential Candidate

The Turaki-led PDP changed the venue of its convention on Saturday and briskly ratified former president Goodluck Jonathan as its presidential candidate for the 2027 general election.

The move was after the group was barred by the police from accessing the A Class Hotel in Abuja, initially rented for its convention.

The event, which did not last more than 20 minutes, had an ally of Jonathan, Fred Agbedi, who received the certificate on behalf of the former president.

Other dignitaries present at the event included Prof Jerry Gana, Tanimu Turaki, Adolphus Wabara, and several others who are loyal to Turaki.

LagosOrigin:
Wike is obviously in a panic mode .

I thought they said that Jonathan will favor tinubu

I laugh 😂😆😆

Bentacur007:
If Wike believes that his PDP faction is authentic,why not leave other faction to waste their time and efforts..Why is Wike always on panic mode..My mind is telling me something

LagosOrigin:
Wike is obviously in a panic mode .

I thought they said that Jonathan will favor tinubu

I laugh 😂😆😆

Odin13:
Gej on ballot.. will weaken Wike’s plan and chase tinubu completely out of south south..

Even tompolo and Asari will change am for APC and wike .. except the 70 year old fat pig.

ariesbull:
GEJ is just a typical clown.... Look at the way he has reduced himself


Such a shame

badoh:
I don't understand why some people cannot just take a stance. When they heard that Jonathan might be contesting, they said it was the handwork of Tinubu and he's trying to use Jonathan to spoil Obi's chances in the south. Now the venue to declare Jonathan as a presidential aspirant is being blocked, these people still attribute it to Tinubu. Dem use Tinubu to swear for you peoples head ni? Honestly you people's way of thinking is beyond human comprehension.