Ologbondiyan alleges gov’t pressure caused ADC convention venue booking collapses

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) is facing a barrage of obstacles in its quest to hold its national convention, with party officials pointing fingers at alleged government interference. Kola Ologbondiyan, Chairman of the Media and Publicity Sub-committee, has voiced strong condemnation, describing the repeated last-minute venue cancellations as "shameful" and a clear sign of undue pressure from those in power.

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What the ADC has passed through in the last few days, irrespective of venue, is shameful. I just have to put it. Very shameful.

Ologbondiyan recounted instances where venues were abruptly withdrawn, citing a specific case where a venue was denied for the convention due to a prior booking, only for the party to discover it was a pretext. The latest incident involved the Rainbow Events Center, where permission was reportedly withdrawn under external pressure just before midnight, leaving the party scrambling.

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People who sit in government, people who have 36 governors, pro-city ministers, people who have all the money in this world, are so panicky.

Despite these significant challenges, the ADC remains resolute. Ologbondiyan asserted that the party has met all contractual obligations, including payments, and will proceed with the convention, even if it means holding it on the streets. The party insists there are no legal impediments, having issued the required 21-day notice to INEC, and views the venue issues as a deliberate attempt to stifle their democratic process.

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Shortly before midnight last night, we got reports that the owner of the Rainbow Events Center came out to tell the leadership… that he has been instructed to withdraw the permission, and he doesn’t want to lose his only means of earning.