Politics

Tension as Police Seal Venue for Jonathan’s PDP Endorsement (VIDEO)

Published

2 weeks ago

Tension as Police Seal Venue for Jonathan’s PDP Endorsement (VIDEO)

Security personnel have cordoned off the A-Class Event Centre in Wuse 2, Abuja, preventing access to the venue that was set to host the ratification of former President Goodluck Jonathan as the presidential candidate for a faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Police vans were stationed at the site on Friday night, effectively blocking entry ahead of the planned event.

This action follows a confrontation between the faction of the PDP supported by Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike. The Makinde-led group, which organised the special convention, expressed its determination to move forward with Jonathan’s endorsement, despite receiving warnings from the minister.

It is important to note that the faction aligned with Wike is currently recognised by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

Nevertheless, the Makinde-backed faction continues to claim legitimacy, referencing a recent Supreme Court ruling regarding the suspension of leaders from the Wike-aligned group.

Wike had previously issued a directive warning owners of hotels, event centres, and public facilities in Abuja against hosting events organised by political factions not officially recognised by INEC.

A statement from the FCT Administration, issued through Wike’s media aide, Lere Olayinka, defended the directive as a necessary security measure to prevent gatherings by unapproved groups that could disrupt public peace.

The minister threatened to revoke the land titles of any property violating the order.

In a counter-response before the venue was sealed, the Makinde-backed PDP faction accused Wike of using state power to suppress the opposition. The group’s National Publicity Secretary, Comrade Ini Ememobong, confirmed that the management of the A-Class Event Centre has faced threats of a total business shutdown from the FCT minister.