The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has accused the Bola Tinubu-led government of attempting to frustrate its planned national convention in Abuja, claiming authorities have denied access to key public venues. Party spokesperson Bolaji Abdullahi told SaharaReporters on Friday that their request to use Eagle Square went unanswered, while an alternative venue, the Velodrome, was also declined due to a scheduled cycling championship.
When asked about their contingency plan, Abdullahi refused to disclose the new location, saying, “We are not disclosing that for now.” The party insisted that its convention, scheduled for April 14, would go ahead despite the uncertainty.
The controversy comes amid heightened internal tension within the ADC, which is simultaneously grappling with a leadership crisis between factions loyal to David Mark and Nafiu Bala. The dispute intensified after former party chairman Ralph Nwosu resigned in July 2025, leaving the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) reluctant to recognise either faction pending a court decision.
Nwosu, speaking on The Morning Brief, maintained that the party had complied with all legal requirements for its activities. “We submitted our programme to INEC according to the law, and they endorsed it. Whether they show up or not is their own volition; we have not violated anything,” he said.
Tensions escalated earlier this week when top opposition figures, including Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi, Rotimi Amaechi, Aminu Tambuwal, and Rauf Aregbesola, staged a protest at INEC headquarters in Abuja. The leaders accused the Tinubu administration of using INEC to undermine opposition parties, particularly the ADC, in a bid to weaken democratic competition.
The Presidency, however, has denied these claims. Presidential spokesman Sunday Dare stated that there is no plan to exclude opposition parties, affirming that all registered parties have equal rights under the law.
Despite these mounting challenges, the ADC insists its national convention will proceed as planned, setting the stage for a potential showdown between the opposition party and government authorities in the coming days.