Police Barricade Abuja Venue of Turaki-Led PDP Convention

A planned special convention by a faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) loyal to former Minister of Special Duties, Tanimu Turaki, was thrown into uncertainty on Saturday after police barricaded all access routes leading to the designated venue in Abuja.

Security operatives deployed several police vehicles to block the two major roads leading into the A-Class Event Centre located between the Wuse and Maitama districts of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), effectively preventing participants and other road users from accessing the premises.

The convention was expected to serve as a platform for the ratification of former President Goodluck Jonathan as the PDP’s presidential candidate ahead of the 2027 general election.

The development comes barely 24 hours after FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, warned hotels and event centres against allowing what he described as illegal political groups or organisations to use their facilities, citing security concerns within the capital city.

Reacting to the blockade, the PDP accused authorities of attempting to frustrate a legitimate political gathering. The party said the management of the event centre had informed its officials of mounting pressure to withdraw the venue from hosting the convention.

In a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Comrade Ini Ememobong, the party maintained that it had fulfilled all obligations required for the use of the facility, including payment and compliance with venue regulations.

The PDP further disclosed that security agencies had been duly notified of the event scheduled for May 30, 2026, at the Wuse II venue.

According to the party, its legal team has been directed to engage the management of the event centre on the basis of the subsisting contractual agreement signed by both parties.

Despite the security restrictions, the party insisted that the convention would proceed.

“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 said.

The incident is expected to deepen political tensions within the opposition camp and may further fuel debates over political freedoms and the role of security agencies in the nation’s democratic process.