Former Vice President and a leader of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Atiku Abubakar has condemned what he described as attempt by government agents to prevent the party from holding its national convention at the Rainbow Event Centre on Tuesday, April 14, 2026.

In a statement released on Tuesday morning, Atiku accused authorities of planning to revoke the venue’s license solely because it was booked to host the ADC event.

Atiku described such move as “a shameful and cowardly abuse of public office.”

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According to Atiku, the ADC had fulfilled all legal and financial requirements for the use of the venue.

He argued that any attempt to deny the opposition access to a private facility represents a dangerous trend in Nigeria’s democratic space.

“Coercing a private business owner to deny a lawfully registered opposition party the use of a venue is not governance,” he stated.

The former presidential candidate warned that such actions, if true, could undermine democratic principles, including freedom of assembly and political participation.

He described the situation as part of a broader pattern of “petty, vindictive acts” capable of weakening opposition parties and limiting citizens’ rights to choose their leaders.

Atiku also called on the international community and democratic partners of Nigeria to pay attention to developments surrounding the ADC convention.

Despite the controversy, the African Democratic Congress maintained that its convention would proceed as planned.

“The convention will hold. The ADC will rise,” Atiku remarked.