The African Democratic Congress, ADC, has pointed fingers once again at the ruling party, the All Progressive Congress, for withholding the approval of the Eagle Square in Abuja for the planned April 14th National Convention.
Bolaji Abdullahi, the ADC spokesperson, revealed this during an exclusive interview with SaharaReporters on Friday. He noted that despite the party’s efforts to secure the popular spot for its convention, the request has been ignored. He further alleged that while an alternative venue, the Velodrome, was suggested and requeste, the part was met with a decline.
“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.
Recall that ENigeria Newspaper reported that this allegation adds to the pile of accusations from the opposition party to the ruling party in recent times. The situation was escalated when the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) delisted and derecognized the leadership of David Mark, prompting the party to be cornered with a directive to return to status quo and address all issues relating to the party’s leadership.
The genesis of the crisis dates back to July of 2025 when Nwosu resigned as chairman of the party’s National Working Committee and groups loyal to David Mark and Nafiu Bala engaged in a leadership struggle.
However, the party has announced that it would go on with its planned convention on the said date. Ralph Nwosu, a party leader, has reiterated that the ADC would continue with its planned national conference and congresses despite the issue.
Nwosu stated on The Morning Brief that the party has fulfilled all legal obligations, including informing INEC of its actions.
“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.
In defiance to INEC, leaders of the party such a Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi, Rotimi Amaechi, Aminu Tambuwal, and Rauf Aregbesola held a demonstration at INEC headquarters in Abuja earlier this week, escalating the situation.
The opposition leaders also asked for the sack of Tinubu as its administration was using INEC to undermine opposition parties, especially the ADC, in an effort to make Nigeria a one-party state.
In response, the presidency has refuted the accusations, though. Sunday Dare, the president’s spokesperson, insisted that all registered parties have equal legal rights and said there is no intention to prevent opposition parties from taking part in elections.
