BREAKING: Tinubu Gov’t Moves To Frustrate ADC National Convention, Withholds Approval For Eagle Square, Velodrome
The ADC spokesperson, Bolaji Abdullahi, disclosed this in an exclusive interview with SaharaReporters on Friday, revealing that the party’s request to use the Eagle Square has been ignored, while an alternative venue, the Velodrome, was also declined.
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has alleged fresh attempts by the administration of Bola Tinubu to frustrate its planned national convention in Abuja, accusing authorities of denying the party access to major public venues.
The ADC spokesperson, Bolaji Abdullahi, disclosed this in an exclusive interview with SaharaReporters on Friday, revealing that the party’s request to use the Eagle Square has been ignored, while an alternative venue, the Velodrome, was also declined.
“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 growing uncertainty, he declined to disclose details.
“We are not disclosing that for now,” he added.
The development comes amid heightened tension within the ADC, which is currently 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 proceed 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 national convention, slated for the 14th, would go ahead as planned.
The crisis within the ADC stems from a leadership tussle involving factions loyal to David Mark and Nafiu Bala, following Nwosu’s resignation as chairman of the party’s National Working Committee in July 2025.
INEC has since refused to recognise either faction, citing a pending court decision, a move that has further deepened tensions.
The situation escalated earlier this week when top opposition figures, including Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi, Rotimi Amaechi, Aminu Tambuwal, and Rauf Aregbesola, led a protest at INEC headquarters in Abuja.
The opposition leaders accused the Tinubu administration of attempting to turn Nigeria into a one-party state by allegedly using INEC to weaken opposition parties, particularly the ADC.
However, the Presidency has denied the allegations. Presidential spokesman Sunday Dare stated that there is no plan to exclude opposition parties from participating in elections, insisting that all registered parties have equal rights under the law.
Despite the mounting challenges, ADC leaders maintain that their convention would proceed, signalling a potential showdown between the opposition party and authorities in the coming days.
