ADC Convention Thrown into Turmoil as Venue Proprietor Withdraws Permission Amid Allegations of Political Pressure

ABUJA:  The African Democratic Congress (ADC) is facing a fresh logistical crisis on the morning of its National Convention after the management of the Rainbow Event Centre in Abuja abruptly rescinded permission for the party to use the facility.

The development, disclosed late Monday night by ADC spokesperson Bolaji Abdullahi via his X (formerly Twitter) account, marks the third venue setback for the party. According to Abdullahi, the proprietor of the centre claimed he was acting under extreme pressure from the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA) and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike.

Allegations of "Creeping Tyranny"

The party alleges that the FCT authorities threatened to revoke the venue's operating license should the convention proceed.

"After paying all required fees and completing the setup, the owner informed us of pressure from Minister Nyesom Wike," Abdullahi stated. "We have a signed contract. We will not bow to this creeping tyranny. The convention will hold as planned at the Rainbow Event Centre."

This incident follows earlier claims by the Chairman of the Convention’s Media Sub-committee, Kola Ologbondiyan, that the party was forced to seek private space after being denied access to public landmarks including Eagle Square and the Moshood Abiola National Stadium Velodrome.

FCT Minister Debunks Claims

Minister Nyesom Wike has since dismissed the ADC’s narrative, asserting that the party never formally applied to use Eagle Square. He further clarified that the National Stadium falls under the jurisdiction of the National Sports Commission, not the FCT Administration.

A Party Under Siege

The venue dispute is set against a backdrop of deep legal and administrative instability for the ADC:

• INEC Derecognition: Two weeks ago, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) ceased recognition of the party’s leadership, citing a March 12 Court of Appeal ruling.

• Leadership Schism: The party remains split between a faction led by David Mark and another by Nafiu Bala. Both groups have vehemently protested INEC's stance, with the Mark-led faction calling for the resignation of INEC Chairman Joash Amupitan.

• Supreme Court Showdown: Coinciding with today’s scheduled convention, the Supreme Court is set to hear an appeal filed by David Mark seeking a stay of execution on the appellate court's ruling.

Despite the withdrawal of venue rights and the looming threat of license revocation for the proprietor, the ADC leadership maintains that the event will proceed, setting the stage for a potential confrontation between the opposition party and FCT authorities today.