The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has accused the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, of attempting to frustrate its planned special convention in Abuja where supporters of former President Goodluck Jonathan are expected to ratify his presidential candidature ahead of the 2027 general election.
The allegation has further exposed the deep divisions within the opposition party, which has been battling a prolonged leadership crisis and internal power struggle involving rival factions seeking control of the former ruling party.
In a statement issued on Friday, the PDP’s Interim National Working Committee alleged that Wike threatened to shut down A Class Event Centre in Wuse 2, Abuja, if the facility allowed the party to hold its planned convention on Saturday, May 30, 2026.
The statement, signed by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Comrade Ini Ememobong, claimed that the owners of the event centre informed the party that pressure was being mounted on them to deny the PDP access to the venue despite an existing agreement.
According to the party, all arrangements for the event had been completed and payment for the facility had already been made.
The PDP said it had also fulfilled all requirements relating to the use of the venue and had formally notified relevant security agencies about the planned gathering.
The party expressed concern over what it described as efforts to prevent opposition political activities and insisted that the convention would go ahead as scheduled.
“Our lawyers have been instructed to remind the management of the event centre of the binding contractual agreement already entered into with the party,” the statement said.
The PDP maintained that no individual or government official has the legal authority to determine where a political party should hold its meetings or conventions.
The party argued that Nigeria operates under constitutional democracy and warned against any attempt to suppress opposition voices through intimidation or the use of state power.
“We are certain that Nigeria is a country governed by law, and any attempt to use force to suppress political dissent and opposition is an aberration which must be resisted by all people of good conscience,” the statement added.
The opposition party also urged its leaders, members of the National Executive Committee, delegates and stakeholders from across the country to attend the convention as planned.
The latest dispute comes against the backdrop of a major leadership battle within the PDP.
Since its defeat in the 2023 presidential election, the party has faced internal disagreements that have weakened its position as the main opposition force in Nigeria.
One of the most prominent figures in the crisis has been Wike, the former governor of Rivers State and current FCT Minister, who remains influential within the party despite serving in the administration of President Bola Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
At the centre of the latest dispute is the reported move by one faction of the PDP to adopt former President Goodluck Jonathan as its presidential candidate.
Jonathan, who served as Nigeria’s president from 2010 to 2015, has remained a respected political figure within many sections of the party.
Although he has largely stayed away from active partisan politics since leaving office, supporters believe his return could help rebuild the PDP and strengthen its chances in future elections.
However, another faction within the party, believed to enjoy the support of Wike and his allies, has continued to challenge the authority and decisions of rival leaders.
The disagreement has fuelled uncertainty over who controls the party’s structures and who has the legal authority to organise national meetings and conventions.
Meanwhile, the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has defended recent measures aimed at regulating the use of event centres, hotels and other public facilities in Abuja.
Earlier on Friday, the administration announced that operators of such facilities must deal only with leaderships of political parties recognised by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
The directive was contained in a statement issued by Lere Olayinka, Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media to the FCT Minister.
According to the statement, the new policy forms part of efforts to improve security in the nation’s capital and prevent public facilities from being used for activities capable of threatening peace and public order.
The FCTA said security agencies had raised concerns about the growing use of event centres and similar facilities by groups whose legal status may be in dispute.
“In view of the need to further ensure the security of lives and properties in the FCT and sustain the efforts of security agencies in this regard, usage of Event Centres, Hotels and other public buildings will now be closely monitored,” the statement said.
The administration explained that land allocations within the FCT are meant strictly for lawful purposes and warned property owners against allowing their facilities to be used for activities considered illegal.
It further stated that event centre operators and hotel owners must verify the legal status of organisations seeking to use their premises, especially during the ongoing political season.
According to the FCTA, facility owners are expected to maintain proper records of all transactions involving political groups.
The administration warned that failure to comply with the directive could attract sanctions, including the revocation of land titles and other penalties.
The statement specifically stressed that venue operators must ensure they deal only with political party leaderships recognised by INEC.
While the FCTA did not directly mention the PDP convention or the Jonathan ratification event, the timing of the directive has generated controversy and sparked accusations from the opposition party.
The PDP believes the new measures are being used to target its activities and weaken opposition mobilisation ahead of future political contests.
The development has added another layer to the ongoing crisis within the party, which many political analysts believe could affect its ability to challenge the ruling APC in the next general election.
As both sides stand their ground, attention is now focused on whether the convention will proceed as planned and what impact the latest confrontation may have on the future of the PDP.
The outcome could also shape the battle for control of the party and determine the role former President Jonathan may play in the country’s political landscape ahead of the 2027 elections.