0
Former President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan on Saturday secured the endorsement of the Kabiru Tanimu Turaki-led Interim National Working Committee (INWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) after delegates at a special national convention in Abuja ratified his candidacy through a voice vote.
The convention, convened for the formal confirmation of Jonathan as the party’s sole presidential candidate, was held at the party’s secretariat in Area 10, Abuja, after the group encountered difficulties accessing its earlier scheduled venue.
The motion endorsing Jonathan’s candidature was moved by the Edo State PDP Chairman, Tony Aziegbemi, and seconded by Sanusi Sanni Daggash before delegates unanimously adopted the former president as the party’s flag bearer.
Following the ratification, a certificate confirming his nomination was presented to Fred Agbedi amid chants and celebrations by party loyalists.
The convention, however, unfolded against the backdrop of heightened tension and security presence, after operatives barricaded roads leading to the A-Class Event Centre, initially designated for the exercise.
Addressing delegates at the gathering, former Minister of Information and one of the founding figures of the PDP, Professor Jerry Gana, described the party as a historic pillar of Nigeria’s democratic evolution, while expressing concern over what he portrayed as shrinking democratic space in the country.
He said: “PDP is a legacy party. We were the ones who did the transition to democracy in Nigeria.
“When we negotiated with the military government in 1998, believe you me, it was so serious that we were not going to agree to be part of a transition program, as civilian political leaders, unless three things happened. And our argument was so serious. Our position was so serious that I remember that Dr. Kofi Annan, the Secretary General of the UN at that time, came all the way from New York to chair that meeting between us and the government of the day. The meeting was held at the Nicon Hilton.
“Three distinguished Nigerians represented the political class. Dr. Alex Ekweme, of blessed memory, Senator Abraham Adesaya, of blessed memory, and myself, Professor Jerry Gana, still on this side.
“But I’m sad, I’m still very, very sad, that after so many years of development in Nigeria, we are still being reduced to this, under democracy.
“We’re supposed to be having a special convention in a very, very well-organized place. Now the police have taken over the whole. Are we back into military rule?
“Because we insisted that we must have this special convention today. So we’re having this special convention in a very special way. And I want to thank all of you for being so courageous.
“I want to thank you for standing here because you are defending democracy. Whether they like it or not, whether they allow us or not, democracy must survive. Good governance must survive.”
Turaki, who presided over the exercise, told delegates that the party would immediately forward the name of its candidate to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), insisting that due process had been followed.
“INEC is aware of the NEC meeting by our party. We are confident that things will be done properly.
“When you see this calibre of people gathered here, you know that we know what we are doing.
“We will not fight. We will not fight. The time of fighting will come when we meet at the polls. We will meet you there, we’ll fight you there, we’ll defeat you there, and then we will pin you down on the ground.
“I want to tell you that with this speech, that this brings an end, the 2026 special national convention.
“I want to plead with our delegates. Please go back to your respective destinations. Resist any amount of provocation. Any person you see trying to fight, believe that he does not have the chance of winning. We believe we are on the right course. We believe that we are going to win the election. Therefore, fighting is not for us,” he said.
Tension later heightened around the convention area as unidentified hoodlums reportedly disrupted proceedings while party leaders were addressing supporters.
The disruption triggered panic among attendees, forcing several participants to scamper for safety before security operatives intervened to restore calm.
Eyewitnesses said the situation was quickly brought under control after policemen stationed around the venue dispersed the attackers, who fled the scene immediately.
Despite the tense atmosphere, party leaders insisted the convention had been successfully concluded and maintained that the exercise reflected the determination of their supporters to press ahead with the political process.
