Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar has said that the National Convention of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) will hold despite attempts to sabotage the venue already paid for.
The former Vice President in a strongly worded statement posted on Tuesday, on his verified X formerly Twitter handle alleged that authorities were planning to revoke the licence of the Rainbow Event Centre over its decision to host the ADC convention scheduled for April 14, 2026.
He said the alleged action amounted to coercion of a private business and a deliberate attempt to suppress opposition activities.
“Atiku Abubakar stated that compelling a private venue to deny a lawfully registered political party access, despite fulfilling all contractual obligations, was neither governance nor legitimate politics but a sign of a government intolerant of dissent.”
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https://x.com/atiku/status/2043839576628736491?s=20
According to him, the ADC had met all requirements, including payment of fees and contractual agreements, insisting the party had broken no law.
He argued that such actions reflect a broader pattern of undermining democratic principles, warning that “democracies are eroded through persistent, subtle acts against opposition parties and citizens’ rights.”
The former presidential candidate also called on the international community and democratic partners to take note of what he described as intimidation tactics.
Atiku maintained that the convention would proceed as planned, stressing that opposition voices would not be silenced.
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The Federal Government has yet to respond to the allegation directly but it will be recalled that the Minister of the Federal Capital, NyesomWike, and thebNational Publicity Secretary of the African Democratic Congress, Bolaji Abdullahi, have been engaged in a war of words over the same issue.
While Abdullahi had alleged that Wike through the Federal Capital Development Authority, FCDA, had refused the party the use of the Eagle square in Abuja for its convention, the minister fired back describing the whole issue as a storm in a teacup.
https://x.com/BolajiADC/status/2043816238330134840?s=20
He challenged the ADC to produce any documentation asking for the use of the Eagle square, adding that the party has made no such request.
Mr Abdullahi has however replied insisting that the party will hold its convention at the Rainbow event Centre as planned vowing not to bow to intimidation.
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