Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has accused the Federal Government of attempting to frustrate the convention of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), describing the move as an abuse of power and a threat to democratic rights.
In a statement posted on X on Tuesday, Atiku alleged that authorities were making moves to revoke the licence of Rainbow Event Centre for hosting the party’s convention scheduled for April 14, 2026.
He described the development as “a shameful and cowardly abuse of public office,” claiming it was aimed at stopping a legally organised political gathering.
“Coercing a private business owner to deny a lawfully registered opposition party the use of a venue is not governance. It is not politics,” he said.
The former presidential candidate further accused the government of resorting to intimidation, arguing that such actions reflect a loss of public support.
“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 stated.
Atiku maintained that the ADC had fulfilled all legal and financial obligations required to use the venue, insisting that the party had not violated any law.
“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,” he said.
He warned that actions targeted at opposition parties could undermine democratic principles, particularly the rights to free assembly and political participation.
“This is how democracies are strangled… 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 added.
Atiku also called on the international community to take note of the situation, while reaffirming the party’s resolve to proceed with its planned activities.
“We will not be intimidated. We will not be silenced. We will not bow… The convention will hold. The ADC will rise. And Nigeria will rise with it,” he said.
As of press time, there has been no official response from the Federal Government regarding the allegation.