The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) faction led by Kabiru Turaki has urged President Bola Tinubu to caution Nyesom Wike, minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), over what it described as rising undemocratic tendencies.
The PDP faction on Saturday announced former President
Goodluck Jonathan as its presidential candidate for the 2027 elections.
Jonathan’s candidacy was ratified at a special national
convention held at the party’s office in Area 10, Garki district, Abuja.
Although Jonathan was not present at the venue, his
certificate of return was received on his behalf by Fred Agbedi, a member of
the house of representatives from Bayelsa state.
The Turaki-led PDP had scheduled the convention to hold at
the A-Class Park and Event Centre in Abuja.
However, the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA)
subsequently issued a directive mandating owners of hotels, event centres and
other public facilities to deal only with the leadership of political parties
recognised by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
The FCTA also warned that any property used by “illegal
organisations” risked losing its title documents.
Police officers had earleir on blocked the roads leading to the venue of the special convention, with one of
the operatives saying the event had been cancelled.
However, party officials said the event was later moved to
another location in Area 10, where it was held.
In a statement released shortly after the event, the
Turaki-led PDP condemned the alleged “brazen use of unmitigated power” by
officials of the FCTA, especially Wike, whom it said had “the obvious support”
of Tinubu.
The party said if left unchecked, the country may slide into
“full blown dictatorship”, which could lead to the collapse of its democracy.
The PDP faction said it had duly notified INEC before the
event, while the venue had been fully paid for, with its owners accepting
payment and granting access for preparatory activities.
It added that the management of the event centre
surprisingly cancelled the booking, citing an invitation and alleged threat
from Wike, who they claimed threatened to revoke their certificate of occupancy
if they allowed the event to proceed.
“We reminded them of the subsisting contract with us and
insisted that the event must go on as planned,” the statement reads.
“The Federal Capital Territory Administration doubled down
by issuing a statement conveying the threats of revocation of the titles of
business premises hosting events considered by them as unlawful.
“As if that was not enough, by 7 p.m. on Friday, 29th May,
more than 20 truckloads of policemen were deployed to block the entire road
where the event centre is located, forcing motorists to drive against traffic.”
The party said following the development, it summoned an
emergency meeting of members of its board of trustees, interim national working
committee, national executive committee and other critical stakeholders.
According to the statement, the PDP leaders resolved not to
forcefully use the venue for the ceremony but to show maturity in the face of
provocation.
The party leaders said since the main activity of the day,
which was Jonathan’s affirmation, had been held, the formal presentation and
flag-giving ceremony would take place subsequently.
According to the statement, the “shameful oppression has
validated the widely perceived fear of the PDP by the ruling All Progressives
Congress (APC)”.
“Whereas other parties with leadership issues similar to
ours have conducted their conventions without threats from the ruling party,
the PDP is too feared to be allowed the constitutionally guaranteed right to
meet,” the party said.
The party urged “President Tinubu to rein in his fear of
impending loss and take practical steps to de-escalate the political tensions,
which have been an unwarranted addition to the already heightened political
temperature in the country”.
The party urged its members to remain steadfast and
committed to the ideals of the party, noting that very soon, the battle would
be over.
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