The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has accused the administration of President Bola Tinubu of making fresh moves to frustrate its planned national convention in Abuja by allegedly denying the party access to major public venues.
The party’s National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, disclosed this in an interview with Sahara Reporters on Friday, saying the ADC’s request to use the Eagle Square had yet to receive any response, while its application for the Velodrome was rejected.
“Not to my knowledge. We applied for the Eagle Square, but they have failed to respond. We also asked to use the velodrome, but they said they are hosting a cycling championship,” Abdullahi said.
When asked where the party would now hold its convention amid the uncertainty, he declined to give details.
“We are not disclosing that for now,” he added.
The development comes amid growing tension within the ADC, which is battling both an internal leadership crisis and a standoff with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
A party chieftain, Ralph Nwosu, had earlier insisted that the ADC would not be distracted by the crisis and would go ahead with its scheduled congresses and national convention.
Speaking on The Morning Brief, Nwosu said the party had complied with all legal requirements, including notifying INEC of its activities.
“We submitted our programme to INEC according to the law, and they endorsed it. By the electoral law, whether they show up or not is their own volition; we have not violated anything,” he said.
He added that the party’s national convention, slated for the 14th, would proceed as planned.
The crisis within the party followed a leadership tussle between factions loyal to David Mark and Nafiu Bala after Nwosu resigned as chairman of the party’s National Working Committee in July 2025.
INEC has since declined to recognise either faction, citing a pending court decision, a development that has further heightened tensions within the party.
The situation escalated earlier in the week when top opposition figures, including former Vice-President, Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi, Rotimi Amaechi, Aminu Tambuwal and Rauf Aregbesola, staged a protest at the INEC headquarters in Abuja.
The opposition leaders accused the Tinubu administration of plotting to turn Nigeria into a one-party state by allegedly using INEC to weaken opposition parties, especially the ADC.
Presidency Denies Allegation
The Presidency, however, denied the allegation.
The President’s spokesman, Sunday Dare, said there was no plan to exclude opposition parties from participating in elections, insisting that all registered political parties enjoy equal rights under the law.
Despite the mounting challenges, ADC leaders have maintained that the convention will hold, setting the stage for a possible face-off between the opposition party and authorities in the coming days.
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