The faction of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, loyal to FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, has denied plans to make former president Goodluck Jonathan its presidential candidate in the next year’s general elections.

The faction described the claims as false, misleading and unauthorised.

National Publicity Secretary of the faction, Jungudo Mohammed, made this known in a statement on Friday.

Mohammed urged security agencies to investigate the source of the reports and prosecute those behind what the party described as an attempt to create political tension and disrepute within the polity.

Recall that on Thursday, the Interim National Working Committee led by Tanimu Turaki announced plans for a convention in Abuja on Saturday to formally endorse the former President as the party’s candidate for the 2027 presidential election.

DAILY POST reports that Senator Sandy Onor was last week screened, cleared and officially presented as the Wike PDP faction’s presidential candidate for the 2027 election.

Reacting, the PDP faction urged Jonathan to publicly distance himself from the move to safeguard the integrity of the democratic process and his reputation.

“The attention of the Peoples Democratic Party has been drawn to misleading information and unfounded reports circulating in certain quarters regarding an alleged planned convention aimed at affirming former President Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan GCFR as the presidential candidate of the PDP.

“The party wishes to categorically state that no such convention, meeting, or process has been scheduled, approved, or endorsed by the leadership or any recognised organ of the Peoples Democratic Party.

“We therefore urge all party faithful, supporters, stakeholders, and members of the general public to disregard such false information, as it is misleading, unauthorised, and intended to create confusion within the polity.

“It is important for the avoidance of doubt to state that the Peoples Democratic Party has successfully concluded all its primary elections, including those for governorship, State Houses of Assembly, National Assembly, and the presidential primaries in accordance with INEC guidelines, the provisions of the Electoral Act, and the Constitution of the party,” the statement said.

The Tanimu Turaki-led faction of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has vowed to resist every intimidation attempt as it prepares for the next year’s general elections.

The faction made this vow in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Ini Ememobong, on Friday.

Ememobong said the party had been informed by the proprietors of A Class Event Centre of the threat by the Minister of the FCT, Nyesom Wike, to shut down their business premises if it is allowed to use their hall for its presidential candidate ratification ceremonies.

“We state here, and for the record, that we had furnished consideration in full to consummate the earlier offer and acceptance. Furthermore, we had duly notified all relevant security agencies about the event. We have directed our lawyers to write, reminding A Class Event Centre of these facts.

“Having satisfied these requirements, we reiterate that the special convention to ratify the presidential candidature of President Goodluck Jonathan will hold as scheduled on Saturday, 30th May, 2026, at A Class Event Centre, Wuse 2, Abuja, by 10 a.m.

“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.

“There is nowhere in our laws where the Minister of the FCT is empowered to determine events that should be held and where they should be held. Such limitless powers are strange to a democratic republic, but available and operational only under an emperor – a title that President Tinubu has been struggling to deny.

“We invite party leaders from the states, NEC members, and other critical stakeholders to attend the event as scheduled,” the statement said.

Former national chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, has responded to remarks linked to Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, stating that Kwankwaso was once his political protégé.

Ganduje asserted in a statement released on Friday by his chief of staff, Comrade Muhammad Garba, from Saudi Arabia, where the former governor is currently performing the Hajj pilgrimage.

According to the statement, Ganduje said politics is built on relationships, support and mentorship, adding that every successful politician receives assistance from others at some point in their career.

He said he played a significant role in Kwankwaso’s early political ascent, particularly during his election into the House of Representatives and subsequent emergence as Deputy Speaker.

The statement quoted him as saying: “I also have the right to say Kwankwaso was once my political boy because I supported him and helped him rise to important positions.”

Ganduje also claimed that, before that period, while he worked in both Abuja and Kano, Kwankwaso frequently visited his offices to discuss political matters.

The former governor urged politicians to avoid labels such as “godfather” and “political son”, stressing that attention should instead be focused on leadership quality and the development of the people.

He also recalled the 1998 political developments in Kano, noting that he won the governorship primary at the time but stepped down in the interest of unity and agreed to serve as Kwankwaso’s deputy.

The statement added that, despite later political disagreements, Ganduje and Kwankwaso worked together between 1999 and 2003, and again from 2011 to 2015, for the development of Kano State.

Speaking on Abba Kabir Yusuf, Ganduje said that although Yusuf once served under him, he is now the elected governor of Kano and deserves respect by virtue of the office he holds.

Ganduje called on politicians and their supporters in Kano to avoid remarks capable of deepening division, urging a focus on peace and unity in the state.