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🇳🇬 Nigeria /Elections & Politics

Accreditation begins at ADC national convention venue

From The Punch · (1d ago) English Critical tone

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

TLDR

  • Approximately 3,000 delegates have arrived at the Rainbow Event Centre in Abuja for the African Democratic Congress's national convention.
  • The party faced significant difficulties in securing a venue, with multiple private businesses reportedly declining to host due to alleged external pressures and threats.
  • The convention aims to conclude the party's congresses, ratify a new constitution, and prepare for upcoming primaries.

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) is holding its national convention in Abuja, with an estimated 3,000 delegates in attendance at the Rainbow Event Centre. The event marks a significant moment for the party as it seeks to consolidate its position and prepare for future political engagements.

We wrote to use the Eagle Square but received no response, and our request for the Velodrome (at the National Stadium) was also denied without explanation.

— Chinedu IdigoExplaining the difficulties the ADC faced in securing a venue.

However, the convention is overshadowed by the party's struggles to secure a suitable venue. Reports indicate that numerous private businesses and event centers declined to host the ADC, allegedly due to external pressures and threats. This alleged intimidation raises concerns about the freedom of political association and the operational challenges faced by opposition parties in Nigeria.

We approached several venues, including hotels and event centres, but once they realised it was ADC, they declined, citing fear of possible repercussions.

— Chinedu IdigoDetailing the alleged intimidation faced by the party.

Despite these obstacles, the ADC is proceeding with its convention. The agenda includes concluding the party's congresses, ratifying a new constitution, and setting the stage for the party's primaries. The party leadership has expressed determination to overcome these challenges and move forward with its political objectives.

Even this Rainbow Event Centre initially attempted to cancel after alleged threats, but we insisted on proceeding since payments had already been made.

— Chinedu IdigoDescribing the last-minute challenges with the chosen venue.

The situation highlights the broader political climate in Nigeria, where opposition parties sometimes face difficulties in organizing and operating freely. The ADC's experience underscores the importance of a level playing field for all political actors and the need to address any undue external influences on private businesses.

I do not understand why businesses in Nigeria cannot operate freely without intimidation, as this situation is causing significant financial losses to private operators.

— Chinedu IdigoExpressing frustration over the alleged external pressures.
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Originally published by The Punch. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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