2027: Wike moves to stop Jonathan’s ratification for presidency by Turaki-led PDP

By Ayorinde Oluokun

In a move believed to be targeted at stopping the planned ratification of former President Goodluck Jonathan as the presidential candidate in the 2027 election by a faction of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, the Nyesom Wike- led Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has threatened to revoke title documents of any event center, hotel or public building that is used for the gathering of ‘illegal organizations’

The Kabiru Turaki- faction of PDP had on Thursday announced that it will hold a special convention on Saturday to ratify former President Goodluck Jonathan as its candidate for the 2027 presidential election.

The PDP faction said the ratification of Jonathan as its 2027 presidential candidate will hold at A Class Event Centre in Wuse 2 area of Abuja.

The Turaki faction of PDP had earlier on 19 May announced Jonathan as its sole presidential candidate for 2027 presidential election.

This was despite the fact that the former President failed to appear before a presidential screening committee set up by the party to screen him for two days.

Babangida Aliyu, a member of the Presidential Screening Committee told journalists at the end of the sitting of the Committee for the second day that Jonathan has been cleared as the party’s sole presidential aspirant for the 2027 election.

However, Jonathan has not confirmed whether he will attempt to return to Aso Rock presidential villa in the 2027 election despite the claims of the PDP faction.

So, it’s still doubtful if he will attend the ratification event planned by the PDP faction for Saturday.

But the rival faction of PDP recognized by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, and backed by Wike had earlier this week chosen a former national lawmaker, Sandy Onor, as its 2027 presidential candidate.

Hence, the threat of revocation of title documents of event centers, hotels and public spaces contained in a statement by Lere Olayinka, Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and social media to the FCT Minister on Friday was believed to be targeted at A Class event centre in Wuse 2 area Abuja where the planned ratification of Jonathan by the rival PDP faction was scheduled to take place on Saturday.

The Turaki-led PDP is not recognized by INEC and in its statement on Friday, FCTA warned owners of Event Centres, Hotels and other public buildings in the territory to stop offering their facilities for use by “illegal organizations”

Specifically, FCTA warned owners of event centres and hotels to ensure that they only deal with INEC recognised leadership of political parties before they grant permission for use of their facilities for political activities.

They are also instructed to keep proper records of transactions of such customers.

“Failure to comply with this directive will result to revocation of the title documents such properties.”

“For instance, in this political season, owners of Event Centres and Hotels in particular must ensure that they only deal with Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) recognised leadership of political parties in respect of the use of their facilities, and proper records of transactions must be kept.

Olayinka also said in the statement that allocations of lands in the FCT are strictly for carrying out lawful activities while emphasing that to ensure the security of lives and properties in the territory and sustain the efforts of security agencies, usage of Event Centres, Hotels and other public buildings will now be closely monitored.

“This is aimed at ensuring that they are not used by illegal organizations for gatherings capable of disrupting the peace of the nation’s capital.

“Owners of these facilities are therefore urged to take cognizance of the legality of organizations seeking to use their facilities and the purpose before letting them out.