The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has accused the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, of mounting pressure on the owner of Rainbow Event Centre to cancel its convention booking in Abuja.
In a statement issued on Monday night, April 13, the eve of the event, the party alleged that the venue owner informed it of intense pressure from the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA) and the FCT minister to withdraw access to the facility, despite a concluded agreement and full payment.
The development follows earlier claims by the ADC that it was denied access to Eagle Square and the Moshood Abiola National Stadium for the same convention.
According to the ADC, the venue operator was allegedly threatened with the revocation of his operational licence if he allowed the convention to proceed.
“After paying all the required fees and putting finishing touches to preparations for our convention tomorrow, the owner of Rainbow Event Centre has just informed us that he is under pressure from the FCDA and the FCT Minister,” the party said.
READ ALSO: ADC Didn’t Apply To Use Eagle Square, Wike Refutes Party’s Claim
The ADC, however, insisted that it has a binding contract with the venue and would not back down from its plans.
“But we have already signed a contract with him. We will hold our convention tomorrow as planned at the Rainbow Event Centre,” the statement added.
Describing the situation as an attack on democratic space, the party warned against what it termed increasing political intimidation.
“We will not bow to this creeping tyranny. And definitely not to this petty tyrant,” the statement read, adding that “ADC is rising, Nigeria is rising,” the party concluded.
Neither the FCDA nor the office of the FCT minister had responded to the allegations as of the time of filing this report.