The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has accused the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, of trying to stop an event in Abuja where former President Goodluck Jonathan is expected to be officially endorsed as the party’s presidential candidate.
In a statement released on Friday, the PDP said the management of A Class Event Centre informed the party that pressure was being put on the venue to prevent the gathering from taking place.
The party said it had already paid for the venue and met all the requirements needed to host the event.
According to the PDP, security agencies had also been notified about the convention scheduled to hold on Saturday, May 30, 2026, in Wuse 2, Abuja.
The statement, signed by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Ini Ememobong, said the PDP had directed its lawyers to remind the event centre of the agreement it signed with the party.
The PDP maintained that the convention would go ahead despite what it described as attempts to intimidate and disrupt the event.
The party stated that Nigeria is governed by law and that any effort to suppress opposition political activities should be resisted by all supporters of democracy.
It also argued that the FCT minister does not have the constitutional power to decide which political meetings can be held in Abuja or where such meetings should take place.
The PDP described any attempt to stop the gathering as undemocratic and urged its members and supporters across the country to attend as planned.
Earlier, the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) directed owners of hotels, event centres and other public facilities in Abuja to deal only with political party leaders officially recognised by Independent National Electoral Commission.
The administration also warned that properties used by organisations it considers illegal could risk losing their land titles.
The directive was announced in a statement issued by Lere Olayinka, Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media to Wike.
According to the FCTA, the policy is aimed at improving security in Abuja and preventing public facilities from being used for activities that could threaten public peace.
