₦airaland Forum

The planned national convention of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) has suffered a setback after the proprietor of Rainbow Event Centre in Abuja withdrew permission for the party to use the facility.

The development was disclosed on Monday night by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, via his X account.

According to Abdullahi, the venue owner cited pressure from the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA) and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, as the reason for the decision.

“After paying all the fees required, setting up for our convention tomorrow, the owner of Rainbow Event Centre has just informed us that he has come under pressure from the FCDA and Minister of FCT, Nyesom Wike, that if he allows the ADC the use of his facilities, his licence will be revoked,” Abdullahi said.

He added that the party had already formalised its agreement with the venue but would proceed with its plans regardless of the development.

“But we have already signed the contract with him. We will hold our convention tomorrow as planned at the Rainbow event centre. We will not bow to this creeping tyranny. And definitely not to this petty tyrant. ADC is rising, Nigeria is rising,” he said.

Earlier on Monday, the party had announced that it secured the Rainbow Event Centre as the venue for its convention after authorities in the Federal Capital Territory declined its request to use Eagle Square and the Moshood Abiola National Stadium Velodrome.

The ADC described the Abuja venue as central and accessible, noting that it would accommodate delegates and stakeholders from across the country.

However, the Minister of the FCT, Nyesom Wike denied claims that the party applied to use Eagle Square, stating that no such request was received.

He also clarified that the stadium is under the control of the National Sports Commission, not the FCT Administration.

The latest development comes amid a leadership crisis within the ADC, following the decision of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to withdraw recognition of the David Mark-led faction based on a Court of Appeal ruling.

As the party moves ahead with its convention plans, the Supreme Court of Nigeria is expected to hear an appeal filed by David Mark seeking to halt the execution of the appellate court judgment.

Lithiumite:
ADC and cheap propaganda, whats anyone's business if you hold your convention.....focus on your leadership case at the SC.....the fct minister said he hasn't gotten any request from you people, you haven't countered that with proof, a party thats serious and wants ro lead a country should know the velodrome doesn't belong to the fct....come out with proof that the owners of rainbow center are being threatened......you don't just cone online and make superfluous statements without proof just to deceive your gullible supporters.

Lithiumite:
ADC and cheap propaganda, whats anyone's business if you hold your convention.....focus on your leadership case at the SC.....the fct minister said he hasn't gotten any request from you people, you haven't countered that with proof, a party thats serious and wants ro lead a country should know the velodrome doesn't belong to the fct....come out with proof that the owners of rainbow center are being threatened......you don't just cone online and make superfluous statements without proof just to deceive your gullible supporters.

richiemcgold:
Must it be hosted in Abuja only? What about Kano, Kaduna, Akure, Onitsha or Maiduguri?

HIGHESTPOPORI:
So the proof of request to use Eagle square which was acknowledge all over online is not enough proof to you?

HIGHESTPOPORI:
So the proof of request to use Eagle square which was acknowledge all over online is not enough proof to you?

Omooba77:
https://www.vanguardngr.com/2026/04/convention-setback-for-adc-as-event-centre-proprietor-withdraws-permission-to-use-facility/

Lithiumite:
ADC and cheap propaganda, whats anyone's business if you hold your convention.....focus on your leadership case at the SC.....the fct minister said he hasn't gotten any request from you people, you haven't countered that with proof, a party thats serious and wants ro lead a country should know the velodrome doesn't belong to the fct....come out with proof that the owners of rainbow center are being threatened......you don't just cone online and make superfluous statements without proof just to deceive your gullible supporters.

richiemcgold:
Must it be hosted in Abuja only? What about Kano, Kaduna, Akure, Onitsha or Maiduguri?

Lithiumite:
ADC and cheap propaganda, whats anyone's business if you hold your convention.....focus on your leadership case at the SC.....the fct minister said he hasn't gotten any request from you people, you haven't countered that with proof, a party thats serious and wants ro lead a country should know the velodrome doesn't belong to the fct....come out with proof that the owners of rainbow center are being threatened......you don't just cone online and make superfluous statements without proof just to deceive your gullible supporters.

Lithiumite:
Anybody can post any letter and stamp acknowledgement,post it online just to smear anyone.....who took it,who received it,what time, what day,we need specifics not blank rhetoric typical of a propaganda machinery.

Lithiumite:
ADC and cheap propaganda, whats anyone's business if you hold your convention.....focus on your leadership case at the SC.....the fct minister said he hasn't gotten any request from you people, you haven't countered that with proof, a party thats serious and wants ro lead a country should know the velodrome doesn't belong to the fct....come out with proof that the owners of rainbow center are being threatened......you don't just cone online and make superfluous statements without proof just to deceive your gullible supporters.

PHIPEX:
People like you will back the devil if you hear he is related to your family

Daguccizgreat:
Shut up and eat agbado. Sometimes you keep quite instead talking trash

pipnator00:
Its really funny that someone like Atiku will let these these little boys deal with him like this.
Most likely Wike has threatened the event centre owner, hence the withdrawal of the permission.
When Atiku was vice president, Wike was most likely still in law school.
Yesterday was Atiku, Today is Wike, Tomorrow will be another person.
I hope the next person learns the lessons inherent in this.
Power rotates and never stays in one place.