Security operatives have sealed the A-Class Event Centre in Wuse 2, Abuja, effectively blocking the venue scheduled for the ratification of former President Goodluck Jonathan as the presidential candidate of a faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
The Police vans, it is understood, were deployed to the scene on Friday night, completely restricting access to the facility ahead of the planned event.
The development follows a confrontation between the PDP faction backed by Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike. The Makinde-led group, which organised the special convention, had vowed to proceed with Jonathan’s endorsement despite warnings from the minister.
It should be noted that the rival faction loyal to Wike is currently the one recognised by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). However, the Makinde-backed faction has continued to assert authenticity, citing a recent Supreme Court judgement on the suspension of leaders of the Wike-backed faction.
Wike had previously issued a directive warning owners of hotels, event centres, and public facilities in Abuja against hosting events organised by political factions not officially recognised by INEC.
A statement from the FCT Administration, issued through Wike’s media aide, Lere Olayinka, defended the directive as a necessary security measure to prevent gatherings by unapproved groups that could disrupt public peace.
The minister threatened to revoke the land titles of any property violating the order.
In a counter-response before the venue was sealed, the Makinde-backed PDP faction accused Wike of using state power to suppress the opposition. The group’s National Publicity Secretary, Comrade Ini Ememobong, confirmed that the management of the A-Class Event Centre has faced threats of a total business shutdown from the FCT minister.
