A fresh political controversy has erupted following allegations that government agents are attempting to revoke the licence of Rainbow Event Centre, reportedly for hosting the convention of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) scheduled for Tuesday, April 14, 2026.

In a strongly worded statement attributed to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, the reported move was described as “a shameful and cowardly abuse of public office,” sparking debate over the state of democracy and political tolerance in Nigeria.

According to the statement, the ADC had fulfilled all legal and financial obligations required to secure the venue, including payment of fees and contractual agreements. The alleged attempt to block the event, therefore, was framed as a deliberate effort to stifle opposition activities rather than a legitimate regulatory action.

Atiku argued that pressuring a private business to deny a duly registered political party access to a venue undermines democratic principles, particularly the rights to free assembly and political participation. He further claimed that such actions signal a government struggling with declining public support ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The statement also called on the international community and democratic partners to take note of the situation, warning that repeated interference in opposition activities could erode Nigeria’s democratic foundations.

Despite the alleged pressure, the ADC maintained that its convention would proceed as planned, emphasizing its commitment to political engagement and its ambition to challenge the ruling establishment in the next electoral cycle.

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