Atiku Abubakar 2011 President campaign Photo by www.mortenfauerby.dk ©mortenfauerby 2010 - all rights reserved
…alleges Wike threatened withdrawal of C of O of event center for party’s convention
By Olawale Lamina
The Peoples Democratic Party,PDP, has affirmed the former President Goodluck Jonathan as its presidential candidate for the 2027 general election. This comes after what it described as destabilization of its Special National Convention in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.
In a statement signed by the National Publicity Secretary of the party’s Interim National Working Committee, Comrade Ini Ememobong on Saturday, the PDP claimed that its scheduled convention was distributed through the deployment of security personnel apart from threats directed at the venue management.
The party informed that it had duly notified the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and security agencies of its activities and had secured the A Class Event Centre in Abuja for the convention.
According to the party’s allegation, the management of the event centre later cancelled the booking following threats it claimed to have received from the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, that the facility’s Certificate of Occupancy could be revoked if it hosted the event.
The statement by the PDP also alleged that the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) issued statements warning business premises against hosting events it considered unlawful.
It also claimed that access to the venue was effectively restricted, with alleged deployment of no fewer than 20 truckloads of police officers.
But after its emergency meeting involving all the stakeholders which followed the development, the party said it resolved not to confront security operatives.
The PDP added that a formal presentation and flag-off ceremony for the candidate would be held at a later date.
It further condemned what it described as the abuse of state power by officials of the current administration, particularly the FCT minister, as it cautioned that the move was capable of denigrating Nigeria’s democratic system if unchecked.
The statement noted that the alleged disruption was a marker of growing concerns about the existing gaps in opposition politics, while accusing the ruling APC of attempting to immobilize political competition.
The PDP therefore called on President Bola Tinubu to put measures in place with a view to mitigating political tensions and allow a level playing ground for all political parties to operate freely without inhibitions .
And, ahead of the 2027 Presidential elections, the party called on members to focus on mobilization and work towards its victory at the polls.
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