All is now set for the the African Democratic Congress (ADC) National Convention, which is holding today in Abuja, Nigeria’s Federal Capital Territory (FCT). The convention which holds today, coincides with the commencement of hearing of the case filed by the court before the Supreme Court, challenging Nafiu Bala Gombe’s rejection of Senator David Mark and Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola’s leadership of the party.

Also, a Federal High Court in Abuja is expected to deliver judgement today, in the case instituted by a member of the House of Representatives, Leke Abejide, challenging the manner of takeover of the ADC by Mark and other coalition members. The judgement was to be delivered yesterday but was shifted today by the judge at the last minute.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) said it will not monitor the convention based on the Court of Appeal judgement that ordered status quo ante bellum in the leadership of the party. ADC will not be using government facility for the convention, because, according to the party, the three venues it requested for, were denied by the government. A member of the National Convention Planning Committee told this reporter, “We are using Rainbow Event Center for now because we were denied other venues we wanted to use.”

Though the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, denied the ADC’s claim, it was gathered that the party applied to use the Eagle Square, Moshood Abiola Center and Transcorps Hilton,” but they were denied the usage. The Rainbow Event Marquee, a private facility located at Garki district of Abuja, has been given a face-lift.

New Telegraph was told that between 2,500 and 3,000 delegates are expected to attend the convention, including former Vice President Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, former Labour Party presidential candidate Mr. Peter Obi, his New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), former Minister of Transportation Rotimi Amaechi and his Justice counterpart, Abubakar Malami.