The political landscape ahead of the 2027 general elections intensified yesterday as multiple political parties held conventions in Abuja to select their presidential flagbearers. The events were marked by significant administrative hurdles, security deployments, and a violent disruption at an opposition gathering.

Thugs Disrupt PDP Turaki Group Event Following Venue Barricade

Violence erupted at a makeshift venue in Abuja when suspected thugs attacked a gathering organized by the Turaki faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). The group had met to affirm former President Goodluck Jonathan as its presidential candidate. Witnesses reported that the attackers stormed the venue shortly after the affirmation process, destroying property and forcing attendees to flee.

The disruption followed an earlier standoff at the original venue, the A Class Events Centre in Wuse 2. Security forces had barricaded the facility following a directive from the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, who threatened to revoke the venue’s Certificate of Occupancy if it hosted political activities by "illegal groups."

Despite the closure, the group relocated and presented Jonathan's certificate of return in absentia to Representative Fred Agbedi, who received it from the Convention Committee Chairman, Prof. Jerry Gana.

In a statement, the Turaki group condemned the FCT Administration's actions:

"This high-handed action is consistent with an emerging pattern of deploying state institutions to frustrate political opposition... The elders preferred that we show maturity in the face of provocation and rather defeat our adversaries at the polls."

Atiku Accuses Tinubu Administration of Democratic Repression

Reacting to the development, former Vice President and presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, strongly criticized the FCT Minister's directives. In a statement issued by the Atiku Media Office, he accused President Bola Tinubu’s administration of weaponizing state infrastructure to stifle opposition ahead of 2027.

Atiku stated that denying political parties access to public and private venues violates the constitutional rights to freedom of association and peaceful assembly. He noted a pattern of selective enforcement, alleging that a separate faction of the ADC had recently held a public event in the FCT without interference.

Other Party Nominations and Conventions

NDC Affirms Peter Obi

The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) officially affirmed Mr. Peter Obi as its presidential candidate during a special convention monitored by officials from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

Obi’s nomination was moved by Senator Victor Umeh and seconded by Senator Ovie Omo-Agege. Upon accepting the nomination, Obi named former Kano State Governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso as his vice-presidential running mate.

While Obi emphasized national renewal, the NDC's internal primaries faced criticism. Activist and FCT senatorial aspirant Aisha Yesufu criticized the process, labeling the Abuja primaries "a predetermined outcome dressed in procedural formalities" due to last-minute venue changes and altered guidelines.

APM Ratifies Governor Seyi Makinde

The Allied People’s Movement (APM) ratified Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde as its presidential candidate. National Chairman Yusuf Dantalle presented Makinde with his Certificate of Return during an event attended by various state PDP leaders and APM delegates. In his acceptance speech, Makinde pledged comprehensive economic and structural reforms to address national challenges such as inflation and insecurity.

Labour Party Factions Divide Nominations

The leadership crisis within the Labour Party (LP) deepened as its two primary factions announced different presidential candidates:

Abure Faction: The group led by Julius Abure named the party’s National Youth Leader, Prince Kennedy Ahanotu, as its consensus candidate.

Apapa/Rival Faction: Represented by National Publicity Secretary Ken Asogwa, this faction affirmed Dr. Chibuzo Okereke, a governance and public policy expert, as its flagbearer.

ADP Selects Aliyu Bin Abbas

The Action Democratic Party (ADP) concluded its national convention at the National Women Centre, electing 44-year-old Aliyu Bin Abbas as its consensus presidential candidate. Spokesperson Jacob Onjewu Dickson clarified that Abbas—a former aide to Atiku Abubakar—is running an independent campaign entirely divorced from older political blocs, aiming to represent Nigerian youths.