ADC Convention Faces Venue Cancellation Pressure From Wike

Abuja – The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has accused the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, and the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA) of threatening to revoke the operating licence of Rainbow Event Centre unless the private facility cancels the party’s national convention booked for today, Tuesday, April 14, 2026.

NaijaChoice News reports that ADC National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, broke the news late Monday night in a statement posted on X, even as the party claimed full payment and a signed contract with the venue.

“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 wrote.

“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.”

The allegation comes barely 24 hours to the convention and follows earlier reports that the ADC was denied access to other major venues in Abuja, including the Velodrome and Eagle Square. Party sources told NaijaChoice News that the Rainbow Event Centre had been secured as the fallback option after those setbacks.

Prominent ADC leaders, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, have condemned the reported move, describing it as a desperate attempt by government agents to frustrate the opposition party’s gathering.

As of early Tuesday morning, videos and photos circulating on social media showed ongoing setup at the Rainbow Event Centre, with party faithful insisting the programme would go ahead without fail. Some supporters described the situation as “the last kicks of a dying horse,” while others called it a test of democratic freedom in the FCT.

The ADC national convention is expected to feature key figures and possibly announce major political decisions as the party positions itself ahead of future elections. The party has in recent weeks intensified its grassroots mobilisation and coalition talks with other opposition elements.

NaijaChoice News reached out to the FCDA and the office of the FCT Minister for comments on the allegation but had not received a response at the time of filing this report. Wike’s spokesperson had earlier dismissed similar claims concerning public facilities, stating that the ADC did not make formal applications for those venues.

Despite the reported pressure, the ADC has remained defiant, with Bolaji Abdullahi’s statement ending on a note of resolve that has since gone viral among party supporters across the country.