The African Democratic Congress faction led by David Mark on Monday in Abuja said authorities in the Federal Capital Territory under Nyesom Wike tried to disrupt its planned national convention by putting pressure on the owner of its chosen venue.
The party, through its spokesperson Bolaji Abdullahi, said the management of the Rainbow Event Centre informed them of outside interference after they had already paid for and secured the venue for the Tuesday event. According to the party, the venue owner reported that officials linked to the Federal Capital Development Authority and the office of the FCT minister warned that his license could be withdrawn if he allowed the gathering to take place there.
Despite the development, the party said it had fulfilled all requirements and signed an agreement with the facility before the issue arose. It maintained that preparations for the convention had already been concluded and insisted that the event would go on as planned at the same location.
The party described the situation as an attempt to interfere with its activities and said it would not back down from holding its convention. It added that it remains committed to carrying out its programme as scheduled.
The claim comes after Wike had earlier rejected accusations that he blocked the party from using Eagle Square for the same event, stating that no formal request had been made through the proper process.