Former lawmaker representing Kogi West Senatorial District, Dino Melaye, has said the national convention of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) will proceed as scheduled on Tuesday, despite concerns over the use of the Rainbow Event Centre in Abuja.
Melaye, a chieftain of the party, made this known while addressing journalists at the venue, insisting that the ADC would not be deterred from holding its convention.
The development follows allegations by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, that there was a last-minute attempt by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, and the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA) to pressure the venue’s management to cancel the event.
According to Abdullahi, the venue owner informed the party that he had been threatened with the revocation of his licence if he allowed the ADC to use the facility, despite a fully paid contract already in place. He described the situation as political intimidation and an attempt to disrupt the party’s constitutional activity.
Reaffirming the party’s stance, Melaye said the ADC would go ahead with the convention at the venue, citing a binding agreement with the management.
“We paid in full and have a duly signed contract. No one can stop us from proceeding with the convention,” he said.
As of press time, neither Wike nor the FCDA had officially responded to the latest allegations.
The controversy comes amid earlier claims by Kola Ologbondiyan, a media aide to the party’s embattled National Chairman, David Mark, that the ADC had struggled to secure a venue less than 24 hours to the event due to alleged interference.
Ologbondiyan said the party had applied to use Eagle Square but received no response, and also failed to secure alternative facilities at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, including the Velodrome.
However, Wike denied the allegations, stating that his office had not received any formal application. He maintained that public facilities such as Eagle Square are accessible to all groups that follow due process and meet the required conditions.
“We do not deny access. These events generate revenue for the government. I am not aware of any such request,” he said.
