By By Elizabeth Ugbo
Police officers on Saturday barricaded all access roads leading to A-Class Event Centre in Wuse 2, Abuja, preventing participants from attending a proposed Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) special convention organized by loyalists of Tanimu Turaki to ratify former President Goodluck Jonathan as the party’s presidential candidate. The blockade occurred ahead of the scheduled event and affected both party members and other road users. Eyewitnesses reported that police deployed several operational vehicles to seal off the venue’s entrances.
Police Seal Off Event Venue
According to eyewitnesses, security operatives blocked the two major roads connecting the event centre from the Wuse and Maitama areas.
The action denied access to PDP members expected at the convention. It also disrupted normal traffic movement around the venue.
The convention was scheduled to hold on Saturday at the A-Class Event Centre in Abuja.
PDP Accuses Authorities of Frustrating Convention
The development came barely 24 hours after the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, warned hotels and event centres against hosting illegal political gatherings.
Wike cited security concerns within the Federal Capital Territory as the reason for the warning.
However, the PDP alleged that the warning was aimed at frustrating its planned convention.
The party claimed that the management of A-Class Event Centre informed its officials about pressure from certain quarters to stop the event.
Party Insists Convention Will Hold
The PDP stated that it had fulfilled all requirements for the use of the venue.
The party also noted that it paid for the facility and notified relevant security agencies about the programme.
In a statement signed by the National Publicity Secretary, Ini Ememobong, the PDP said its legal team had been directed to remind the event centre of its existing agreement with the party.
The opposition party maintained that the convention would proceed despite the challenges.
PDP Raises Concerns Over Political Intimidation
The party described the situation as an attempt to suppress political opposition.
“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.
Meanwhile, the PDP urged authorities to respect democratic principles and allow lawful political activities to take place without interference.
