ADC Denounces Repeated Venue Denials in Abuja as Political Sabotage Ahead of National Convention

The ADC slams the "shameful" repeated denial of convention venues in Abuja. Media chair Kola Ologbondiyan suggests political sabotage is behind the obstacles.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 14, 2026, 5:54 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from Daily Post Nigeria

A Systematic Pattern of Venue Obstruction

The African Democratic Congress is currently grappling with a series of logistical hurdles that party leadership has characterized as a shameful ordeal. Speaking on a national television program on Tuesday, Kola Ologbondiyan, the chairman of the party’s media and publicity sub-committee for the convention, detailed a frustrating pattern of venue denials across Abuja. According to Ologbondiyan, the party has faced repeated obstacles in securing a facility for its national convention, with multiple event centers and hotels rescinding offers or refusing bookings at the last minute. This administrative friction has sparked concerns within the party regarding the fairness of the political environment in the capital.

The Mabushi Event Center Incident

Ologbodiyan highlighted a specific instance in the Mabushi district of Abuja to illustrate the party’s difficulties. He recounted how party officials were explicitly invited to inspect a potential venue, only to be turned away upon their arrival. The journey from Garki to Mabushi, which takes approximately fifteen minutes, was met with a sudden reversal by the facility managers who claimed a scheduling conflict. The venue operators reportedly stated they required a two day preparation period for a different event that coincided with the ADC’s requested dates. Ologbodiyan noted that this abrupt change of heart occurred within the very short window it took for the delegation to travel to the site.

Allegations of State Sponsored Intimidation

The party leadership has suggested that these logistical failures are not merely coincidental but are likely the result of external political interference. Ologbondiyan questioned why a party in power, which controls significant resources and local governments, would appear so panicky regarding an opposition convention. He pointed out that the current climate is particularly unusual given that the country is not yet in an active election period. According to the party’s spokesperson, the level of pressure being exerted on private facility owners suggests a coordinated attempt to stifle the ADC’s ability to gather and conduct its official business.