ABUJA — The African Democratic Congress (ADC) is facing mounting uncertainty ahead of its national convention, with less than 24 hours to the event and no confirmed venue secured in the Federal Capital Territory.
The development has cast doubt over a crucial gathering expected to shape the party’s leadership direction and position within a broader opposition coalition ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Media aide to Senator David Mark, the embattled National Chairman of the party, Kola Ologbondiyan, disclosed the situation on Monday, describing the last-minute setback as alarming.
“24 hours to the ADC National Convention, the Nigerians-aligned political party is yet to be issued a venue,” Ologbondiyan said.
According to him, the party had formally written to the office of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, requesting approval to use the Eagle Square, but has yet to receive a response despite acknowledgement of the request.
“A letter was presented to the Office of the FCT Minister, Chief Nyesom Wike, for a permit to use the Eagle Square. The letter was acknowledged but no response,” he added.
Efforts to secure alternative venues have also failed. Ologbondiyan revealed that the party approached officials at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, including the Velodrome facility, but was denied access after several visits.
“The ADC team paid several visits to the Ministry of Sports officials at the MKO Stadium. At the end, ADC was refused the use of the Velodrome,” he stated.
He further alleged that privately owned event centres in Abuja have declined to host the convention due to fears of possible government backlash.
“To make matters worse, privately owned event centres in Abuja are turning down the ADC requests for fears of harassment in various forms from the government,” Ologbondiyan said.
Despite the setbacks, the party maintained that the convention will proceed as scheduled, citing its formal notification to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
“All ADC members, teeming party supporters and indeed all Nigerians are assured that, as contained in the Notice issued to INEC, the ADC National Convention will hold in Abuja as scheduled on Tuesday, April 14, 2026,” he said.
The convention is expected to attract thousands of delegates and is seen as a critical step in strengthening the party’s internal structure and consolidating alliances ahead of the next election cycle.
However, the event is unfolding amid a lingering leadership crisis within the party. Rival factions continue to lay claim to the ADC, with a bloc aligned to Dumebi Kachikwu rejecting the planned convention and pursuing a separate path.
The unresolved internal dispute, coupled with logistical hurdles, has further heightened uncertainty over the party’s cohesion at a pivotal political moment.
