A faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) led by former Minister of Special Duties, Kabiru Turaki, has ratified former President Goodluck Jonathan as its sole presidential candidate for the 2027 general election.
The endorsement ceremony, held in Abuja on Saturday, was successfully conducted after the faction relocated the event from its original venue following a security clampdown.
The brief ceremony, which lasted less than 20 minutes, saw a close associate of Jonathan, Fred Agbedi, receive the certificate of ratification on behalf of the former president. Prominent party figures in attendance included Jerry Gana and Adolphus Wabara, alongside other stakeholders aligned with the Turaki-led group.
Security operatives had earlier sealed off the A-Class Event Centre in Wuse 2, Abuja, deploying police vehicles around the facility from Friday night and restricting access.
The action followed a directive by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, who cautioned hotels and event centres against hosting political groups not officially recognised by Independent National Electoral Commission.
Wike said the measure was aimed at maintaining security and warned that property owners who violated the directive risked losing their land titles.
Reacting to the development, the faction backed by Seyi Makinde accused Wike of using state institutions to stifle opposition activities and intimidate venue operators with threats of business closure.
Although the Wike-led faction currently enjoys recognition from INEC, the Makinde-backed group proceeded with Jonathan’s endorsement, insisting on its legitimacy and citing a recent Supreme Court judgment concerning the suspension of some leaders within the rival camp.