The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has accused the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, of attempting to halt its planned event in Abuja, where former President Goodluck Jonathan is expected to be affirmed as the party’s presidential candidate.

In a statement issued on Friday, the party said the management of A Class Event Centre informed it that pressure was being mounted on the venue to stop the gathering from taking place.

The PDP said it had already paid for the venue and fulfilled all conditions required for the programme.

The party also said security agencies had been notified of the convention scheduled for Saturday, May 30, 2026, in Wuse 2, Abuja.

According to the statement signed by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Comrade Ini Ememobong, the PDP has instructed its lawyers to remind the event centre of the subsisting agreement signed with the party.

The party insisted that the convention would proceed despite what it described as intimidation.

“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 read.

The PDP also argued that the FCT minister lacks constitutional authority to determine which political meetings may be held in Abuja or where they should take place.

It described any attempt to stop the event as undemocratic and urged its leaders and members nationwide to attend as planned.

DAILY POST had earlier reported that the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) directed owners of hotels, event centres and public facilities in Abuja to deal only with political party leadership recognised by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

The administration also warned that properties used by what it described as illegal organisations could risk losing their land titles.

The directive was contained in a statement by Lere Olayinka, Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media to Wike.

According to the statement, the policy is intended to improve security in Abuja and prevent public facilities from being used for activities that could threaten public peace.

The North-Central All Progressives Congress, APC, Forum has stated that it does not intend to foment crisis in the party ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The Forum made the declaration while withdrawing an ultimatum issued to APC National Chairman, Prof Nentawe Yilwatda.

The Forum had in the ultimatum asked Yilwatda to resign in two weeks or face court action, over alleged irregularities recorded in the conduct of the APC primaries.

However, the Forum withdrew the ultimatum, and tendered apologies to Yilwatda, in a statement signed by its National Chairman, Alhaji Saleh Zazzaga, late on Thursday.

The North-Central APC Forum, in the follow up statement, disclosed that the ultimatum was informed by wrong information and a misunderstanding of prevailing issues in the party.

Withdrawing the ultimatum, the Forum pledged its commitment to harmony, peace and progress in the ruling party.

The Forum equally suggested that enemies of the party might have tried to influence its earlier position on the conduct of the APC primaries.

“The North-Central APC Forum, as a body of well-meaning stakeholders of our great party in the North-Central zone, has always been committed to the development and progress of the party.

“Our call for the resignation of the National Chairman of the APC, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, was based on misinformation and a misunderstanding of the true situation. Having become aware of the true facts, we hereby withdraw the ultimatum and extend unreserved apologies to the national chairman and other leaders of the APC.

“The North-Central APC Forum has no intention of instigating a crisis or being an agent for the destabilization of the APC.

“We were not well informed in our previous pronouncements on issues concerning the APC primaries. We have no choice than to withdraw the ultimatum and apologize for the tensions  raised by our previous position, now that we are privy to the true state of affairs,” the statement added.

The Forum urged all members of the APC to support and work with the Yilwatda-led National Working Committee, NWC, to deliver victory for the party and President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 election.

The North-Central APC Forum in the same vein restated its pledge to deliver six million votes to Tinubu from the zone in the 2027 presidential poll.

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has said President Bola Tinubu’s reported 30 per cent approval rating shows that many Nigerians are unhappy with his administration ahead of the 2027 elections.

In a statement signed by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, the ADC said rising food prices, unemployment and insecurity have made life harder for citizens across the country.

The party referred to a survey by Eagle Badger Data Analytics (EBDA), which claimed that only 30.2 per cent of Nigerians approve of Tinubu’s performance, while 47.5 per cent disapprove.

According to the ADC, “30 per cent approval is not a sign of success; it is a mark of total failure.”

The party added that nearly seven out of every 10 Nigerians are either dissatisfied or unconvinced about the direction of the country under the current administration.

The statement said many Nigerians are struggling with the rising cost of living, as families can no longer afford basic food items, transport fares, rent and school fees.

It also claimed that food prices have risen by more than 90 per cent since May 2023, while overall prices have increased by about 80 per cent.

“The government continues to celebrate macroeconomic statistics, but Nigerians do not eat statistics. They eat food,” the statement said.

The ADC further accused the government of failing to tackle insecurity, saying many farmers still cannot safely access their farms, while attacks by bandits, kidnappers and other criminal groups continue in parts of the country.

The opposition party argued that after three years in office, the Tinubu administration can no longer blame previous governments for the country’s problems.

“Leadership is measured by outcomes, not excuses,” the statement added.

The ADC said the survey should serve as a warning ahead of the 2027 elections, insisting that Nigerians want better leadership focused on economic recovery, job creation and security.