ADC Alleges Ministerial Threats Against Private Venue Owner Following Eagle Square Approval Dispute

The ADC alleges FCT Minister Nyesom Wike threatened to revoke the license of the Rainbow Event Centre to stop the party's 2026 National Convention.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 14, 2026, 4:11 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from Politics Nigeria

Allegations of Coercion Against Private Enterprise

The leadership of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) has raised a formal alarm regarding what it describes as administrative interference in its 2026 National Convention. According to Bolaji Abdullahi, the party's National Publicity Secretary, the owner of the Rainbow Event Centre was allegedly threatened by Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, with the revocation of his business license. This threat was reportedly issued to prevent the facility from hosting the opposition party's gathering, despite all fees having been settled and contracts fully executed.

Contractual Standoff at the Rainbow Event Centre

In a statement released via social media late Monday, Abdullahi detailed that the venue owner informed the party leadership of intense pressure coming from the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA) and the Minister’s office. The ADC maintains that because a legal contract was signed, they have the right to utilize the space as planned. The party characterized the situation as a manifestation of "creeping tyranny," signaling a refusal to comply with the alleged ministerial directive to vacate the premises.

Dispute Over Public Space Access

The conflict over the private venue follows an earlier dispute regarding the use of public infrastructure in the nation's capital. On Monday, April 13, the ADC claimed that its formal application to use Eagle Square in Abuja had been frustrated by a lack of approval. While the Minister has denied these allegations, the party asserts that the difficulty in securing state-owned locations forced them to seek alternative private accommodations, which are now also under administrative scrutiny.