Former Senator representing Kogi West, Dino Melaye, has confirmed that the national convention of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) will proceed as scheduled in Abuja on Tuesday, despite earlier concerns surrounding the venue.
Melaye made the declaration while speaking to journalists at the Rainbow Event Centre, the chosen location for the party’s national convention.
The development follows allegations raised by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, who claimed that there was a last-minute attempt to frustrate the event through pressure on the venue owner.
Abdullahi alleged that officials of the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA), working alongside the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, threatened to revoke the venue’s licence if it hosted the ADC gathering.
According to him, the party had already fulfilled all financial obligations and signed a formal agreement with the venue management prior to the alleged intervention.
“But we have already signed the contract with him. We will hold our convention tomorrow as planned at the Rainbow Event Centre,” Abdullahi said in a statement on X.
“We will not bow to this creeping tyranny. And definitely not to this petty tyrant,” he added.
Speaking at the venue, Melaye insisted that the party would go ahead with the convention without disruption.
“We refused to leave Rainbow Event Centre because we have a duly signed contract,” he said.
“We paid in full for this venue for the ADC convention, and we will hold it here.”
“With a binding contract with management, no one could have stopped us from proceeding with the convention,” he added.
Meanwhile, the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, and the FCDA have not issued a response to the latest allegations.
The situation follows earlier claims by Kola Ologbondiyan, media aide to the factional National Chairman of the ADC, David Mark, who said the party was still struggling to secure a venue less than 24 hours before the event.
Ologbondiyan alleged that the party had approached the office of the FCT Minister for approval to use Eagle Square but received no response despite acknowledgment of its request.
He also claimed attempts to secure alternative venues, including the Moshood Abiola National Stadium Velodrome, were unsuccessful.
However, Wike denied the allegations, stating that no formal application was received and that public facilities remain available to political groups that follow due process and make required payments.
The ADC convention is expected to proceed under heightened political tension amid competing claims and counterclaims over venue access.
