ADC Insists Convention Will Hold Despite Venue Drama and Leadership Crisis
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) says its national convention scheduled for Tuesday, April 14, 2026, will go ahead as planned, despite ongoing controversies over leadership and challenges in securing a venue in Abuja.
Party chieftain, Dino Melaye, accused the ruling authorities and officials in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) of frustrating the party’s efforts to host the event. He claimed that after securing and paying for a venue, the party was suddenly asked to vacate the premises late at night.
According to him, ADC members have remained at the venue without basic utilities like electricity and water, relying on their own generator to keep activities going.
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar also raised concerns, alleging that pressure was being mounted on the owners of the event centre to cancel the booking. He described the situation as an attack on democratic rights, insisting the party had fulfilled all legal and financial requirements.
The convention is expected to hold at the Rainbow Events Centre in Abuja after earlier difficulties in securing other venues, including the Eagle Square. ADC officials alleged that several locations turned them down at the last minute due to external pressure.
However, the Minister of the FCT, Nyesom Wike, denied the claims, stating that no formal request was submitted to use the Eagle Square. He maintained that the venue is open to any group that follows due process.
Beyond the venue controversy, the party is also dealing with internal leadership disputes. A legal battle over the party’s chairmanship between David Mark and Nafiu Bala is currently before the courts.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has said it will not recognise either faction until the matter is resolved, casting uncertainty over the convention’s outcomes.
Despite this, ADC officials insist they cannot delay their activities, especially with the 2027 election timetable already in motion. They say the required notice has been given to INEC and preparations are complete.
About 3,000 delegates from across Nigeria are expected to attend the convention. Party spokesperson Bolaji Abdullahi explained that the gathering is not for electing new leaders but to ratify key decisions already taken by the party’s National Working
Committee and outline its strategy ahead of the 2027 elections.
