Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has accused the federal government of attempting to frustrate the national convention of the African Democratic Congress scheduled to hold on Tuesday in Abuja, raising concerns over alleged interference in opposition political activities.
In a strongly worded statement issued on Tuesday, the former presidential candidate alleged that there were plans to revoke the licence of Rainbow Event Centre, the venue billed to host the party’s convention, describing the move as an attack on democracy and opposition politics in Nigeria.
“The reports from the spokesperson of our great party, which exposes the plans of the government and its agents to revoke the licence of Rainbow Event Centre for the singular offence of hosting the African Democratic Congress convention slated for today, Tuesday, April 14, 2026, is a shameful and cowardly abuse of public office.”
Atiku stated that any attempt to pressure a private business owner into denying a political party access to a paid venue amounts to intimidation and undermines democratic principles.
“Let it be said without equivocation: coercing a private business owner to deny a lawfully registered opposition party the use of a venue is not governance. It is not politics. It is the naked conduct of a regime that has lost the argument, lost the people, and now reaches for the boot because it has nothing else left.”
He insisted that the African Democratic Congress followed due process in securing the venue for its event, maintaining that all payments had been made and agreements duly signed.
“The ADC has paid every fee. The ADC has signed every contract. The ADC has broken no law. Our only offence is that we are organising, we are growing, and we are preparing to retire this failed government at the ballot box in 2027.”
The former vice president warned that such actions, if true, reflect a broader pattern of suppressing opposition voices and undermining democratic rights, noting that repeated acts of interference could weaken democratic institutions.
“This is how democracies are strangled, not in a single dramatic blow, but in a thousand petty, vindictive acts against opposition parties, against free assembly, and against the sacred right of citizens to choose their own leaders.”
He also called on the international community to take note of developments in Nigeria’s political space.
“To the international community, and every democratic partner of Nigeria: take note of what is being done here tonight, and in whose name.”
Despite the alleged pressure, Atiku maintained that the party would proceed with its convention as planned.
“We will not be intimidated. We will not be silenced. We will not bow to this creeping tyranny, and we will never bow to the petty tyrants behind it.”
“The convention will hold. The ADC will rise. And Nigeria will rise with it.”
Political tensions between the ruling government and opposition parties have intensified in recent years, particularly following the 2023 general elections, with concerns frequently raised over the level playing field for political activities and the protection of democratic rights.
As of the time of filing this report, there was no official response from government authorities regarding the allegation.
