A chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and former lawmaker representing Kogi West Senatorial District, Dino Melaye, has said the party’s national convention will proceed in Abuja on Tuesday despite earlier concerns over the use of the Rainbow Event Centre as the venue.
Melaye made the declaration while addressing journalists at the convention venue in Abuja, insisting that the party would go ahead with the event as planned.
The development follows allegations by the ADC’s National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, that there was a last-minute attempt by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, and the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA) to pressure the owner of the Rainbow Event Centre to cancel the event.
Abdullahi had described the situation as an act of political intimidation and “creeping tyranny.”
“After paying all the fees required and setting up for our convention tomorrow, the owner of Rainbow Event Centre informed us that he had come under pressure from the FCDA and the Minister of the FCT, Nyesom Wike, that if he allows the ADC to use his facilities, his licence will be revoked,” Abdullahi said in a statement posted on X.
He noted that the party had already signed a formal contract with the venue management and made full payment, describing the alleged move as an attempt to disrupt the party’s constitutional activities.
“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,” he added.
Speaking at the venue on Tuesday, Melaye maintained that the ADC would not vacate the facility because the party had a binding agreement with the management of the centre.
“We refused to leave Rainbow Event Centre because we have a duly signed contract. We paid in full for this venue for the ADC convention, and we will hold it here,” he said.
“With a binding contract with management, no one could have stopped us from proceeding with the convention,” Melaye added.
The controversy surrounding the venue emerged after the media aide to the embattled ADC National Chairman, David Mark, Kola Ologbondiyan, said on Monday that the party had struggled to secure a venue less than 24 hours to the convention.
According to him, the party had formally written to the office of the FCT minister seeking approval to use Eagle Square but received no response despite acknowledgement of the request.
He added that attempts to secure alternative facilities at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, including the Velodrome, were also unsuccessful.
However, Wike denied the claims, stating that no formal application had been submitted to his office. He maintained that Eagle Square remains available to groups that follow due process and pay the required fees.
“We do not deny access; these events actually generate revenue for the government. Who denied them? I am not aware of any such development, and I don’t even know which party you are referring to,” the minister said.
PUNCH