A United States-based lobbying firm engaged by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has appealed to members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to submit credible evidence supporting allegations of political interference ahead of Nigeria’s 2027 general election.
The development comes amid deepening divisions within the opposition party over competing claims to its leadership and disagreements surrounding its presidential ticket.
The firm, Von Batten-Montague-York, L.C., made the request in a message shared on its official X account on Friday.
According to the organisation, it had been directed by Atiku to support advocacy efforts aimed at promoting transparent and democratic electoral processes in Nigeria.
The Washington-based firm stated that some members of the United States Congress were interested in reviewing documented cases of alleged election-related interference involving Nigeria’s current administration. It therefore called on PDP members with verifiable information to come forward.
“We would like to speak with members of the PDP (@OfficialPDPNig) who can provide credible, verifiable, and indisputable evidence regarding the reported election interference by @GovWike described below. Please email [[email protected]](mailto:[email protected]).”
The request followed claims by a PDP faction loyal to former Minister of Special Duties, Taminu Turaki, that there were attempts to frustrate a planned event organised to ratify former President Goodluck Jonathan as the party’s presidential candidate for the 2027 election.
The faction alleged that owners of the venue selected for the ceremony had come under pressure from the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA). In a statement issued by its National Publicity Secretary, Ini Ememobong, the group claimed that the management of A Class Event Centre informed them of threats to shut down the facility if it hosted the gathering.
According to the faction, all necessary arrangements for the event had already been completed, including payment for the venue and notification of relevant security agencies. It maintained that the ceremony would proceed as scheduled despite the reported pressure.
The controversy has further exposed widening cracks within the PDP, where rival camps continue to disagree over the party’s direction ahead of the next presidential election.
Another faction associated with supporters of FCT Minister Nyesom Wike rejected the Jonathan endorsement and questioned the authority of the Turaki-led group to make such a declaration on behalf of the party.
The camp argued that the PDP had already concluded its internal processes and had earlier presented Senator Sandy Onor as its presidential candidate for the 2027 election following screening and clearance procedures.
In a statement issued by its National Publicity Secretary, Jungudo Mohammed, the group described the Jonathan endorsement move as an attempt to create confusion within the political space. It called on security agencies to investigate those responsible and take appropriate action.
Mohammed also urged former President Jonathan to publicly distance himself from the development, insisting that the party’s candidate selection process had already been concluded in accordance with the Electoral Act, INEC guidelines and the PDP constitution.
Meanwhile, the FCTA has announced stricter monitoring of event centres, hotels and public facilities across Abuja.
The administration warned that owners of facilities used by organisations it considers illegal could face severe sanctions, including the revocation of land titles.
In a statement issued by the Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media to the FCT Minister, Lere Olayinka, the administration said the move was part of efforts to strengthen security and prevent activities capable of disrupting peace in the nation’s capital.
The statement noted that public venues would now be closely monitored to ensure they are not used for gatherings considered unlawful or capable of threatening public order.
It further warned that any event centre, hotel or public building found hosting such organisations could lose its title documents under the new enforcement measures.
The latest developments have added another layer to the PDP’s internal crisis, with rival factions continuing to battle for legitimacy while positioning themselves ahead of the 2027 presidential race.
