Pat Stevens/
The African Democratic Congress on Tuesday proceeded with its national convention in Abuja, defying what party officials described as last-minute efforts to frustrate the exercise through venue-related disruptions.
Delegates and party leaders converged on the Federal Capital Territory amid uncertainty over access to the initially proposed venue, following claims by the party that pressure had been mounted on facility managers to deny it use of the space.
Despite the development, the party moved swiftly to secure an alternative arrangement, insisting the convention would go on as scheduled.
Speaking on the situation, the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, alleged that the disruption formed part of a broader pattern aimed at undermining the party’s activities at a critical moment in its internal political calendar.
“This is not just about a venue. It is about the right of a political party to organise freely. We will not be deterred,” he said, maintaining that the convention was both lawful and necessary.
The convention marks the culmination of a series of congresses conducted at ward, local government, and state levels nationwide in recent days, setting the stage for the emergence or ratification of national leadership figures.
Party insiders described the gathering as high-stakes, noting that decisions taken at the convention would shape the party’s structure, strategy, and positioning ahead of the 2027 general elections, especially amid ongoing opposition realignments across the country.
Despite the tension surrounding the venue, proceedings began with accreditation of delegates and preliminary activities, with expectations that key resolutions, leadership confirmations, and strategic directions would be unveiled as the convention progresses.
Observers say the party’s decision to proceed in the face of the disruption signals an attempt to project resilience and organisational coherence at a time when smaller opposition parties are seeking relevance in Nigeria’s evolving political landscape.
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