A United States-based lobbying firm engaged by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has appealed to members of a faction within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to submit concrete evidence supporting claims of political interference ahead of Nigeria’s 2027 elections.
The request comes amid allegations by a PDP faction led by Taminu Turaki that there are efforts to frustrate a planned ceremony to ratify former President Goodluck Jonathan as the party’s presidential candidate.
In a statement released on Friday by its National Publicity Secretary, Ini Ememobong, the faction accused the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) of attempting to prevent the event by threatening the owners of the chosen venue.
“We have 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 the Peoples Democratic Party is allowed to use their hall for our presidential candidate ratification ceremonies,” the statement read.
Despite the alleged threat, the group insisted that the ceremony would proceed on Saturday as scheduled.
It maintained that all necessary conditions for the use of the venue had been met, including payment for the facility and notification of relevant security agencies.
Responding through its official X account on Friday, Washington-based lobbying firm Von Batten-Montague-York, L.C. stated that Atiku had mandated it to promote free and credible elections in Nigeria.
The firm disclosed that some members of the United States Congress had sought its assistance in gathering documented evidence of alleged electoral and political interference involving the administration of President Bola Tinubu.
It said, “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 Renee.hamilton@montagueyork.com.”
Earlier in 2026, Atiku retained Von Batten-Montague-York under a $1.2 million agreement aimed at enhancing his public image and reputation in the United States.
The controversy surrounding Jonathan’s proposed endorsement deepened existing divisions within the PDP on Friday.
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A rival faction aligned with supporters of FCT Minister Nyesom Wike challenged the authority of the Turaki-led group to endorse Jonathan.
The development comes only a week after Senator Sandy Onor was reportedly screened, cleared, and formally presented as the PDP’s presidential candidate for the 2027 election.
In a separate statement issued on Friday, the faction’s National Publicity Secretary, Jungudo Mohammed, called on security agencies to investigate and prosecute those responsible for what it described as efforts to generate political tension and damage the country’s political environment.
Mohammed also urged Jonathan to publicly dissociate himself from the endorsement move, arguing that the party had already concluded its primaries for all elective positions in accordance with Independent National Electoral Commission guidelines, the Electoral Act, and the PDP constitution.
Meanwhile, the FCTA warned that it could revoke the land titles of event centres, hotels, and public facilities that permit what it termed illegal organisations to use their premises.
The warning was contained in a statement issued by the Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media to the FCT Minister, Lere Olayinka, who said the measure was intended to strengthen security and preserve peace within the Federal Capital Territory.
“In view of the need to further ensure the security of lives and properties in the FCT and sustain the efforts of security agencies in this regard, usage of event centres, hotels and other public buildings will now be closely monitored.
“This is aimed at ensuring that they are not used by illegal organisations for gatherings capable of disrupting the peace of the nation’s capital.
“Going forward, title documents of any event centre, hotel or public building that is used for the gathering of illegal organisations will be revoked,” it said.