A chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Dino Melaye, has declared that no force, including security agencies, can stop the party from holding its national convention, despite ongoing controversy over the event venue in Abuja.
Melaye, who is a member of the party’s convention planning committee, made this known during an appearance on a programme on Arise Television on Tuesday. His comments come amid rising tension over reports that the party was facing difficulties in securing and retaining a venue for the event.
The ADC convention, scheduled to hold in Abuja, had earlier been surrounded by uncertainty following claims by party officials that they were being denied access to approved venues. The situation has sparked debate about political freedom and access to public and private facilities for opposition parties.
Speaking during the interview, Melaye said there were attempts to disrupt the event, including efforts to shut the gates of the venue and force organisers to leave the premises.
According to him, members of the planning committee resisted the move, insisting that they had fulfilled all requirements to use the facility.
“I have that information as a member of the planning committee and the chairman of the protocol committee. Not only were we asked to leave yesterday, they wanted to shut the gates, but we insisted and said we are not going to leave because we have a contract duly signed with this place, and we paid fully,” he said.
Melaye stressed that the party had a valid agreement with the venue owners and had made full payment, backed by receipts and signed documents. He argued that this gave the ADC the legal right to hold its convention without interference.
“We have receipt of payments. We have duly signed contracts. The most important thing is that at the end of the day we are here, and we hold our convention here,” he added.
In a strong statement, the former senator insisted that no level of pressure would force the party to cancel or relocate the event.
“Nobody will stop us. After a proper contract with the owners of this place, and after payment and receipt issued, no battalion would have moved us away from here today,” he said.
The ongoing dispute over the convention venue is part of a broader disagreement between the ADC and authorities in the Federal Capital Territory. Party officials had earlier alleged that they were denied access to major public venues in Abuja, including Eagle Square and the National Stadium.
However, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has denied the allegations, insisting that no formal application was submitted by the party for the use of the venues.
Wike has challenged the ADC to provide proof of any such application, stating that all organisations are free to use public facilities as long as they follow due process.
Despite the disagreement, the ADC moved its convention to an alternative private venue, where the latest confrontation reportedly took place.
For the ADC, the convention is an important event that will shape the party’s direction and strengthen its structure. Conventions are used by political parties to make key decisions, elect leaders, and prepare strategies for upcoming elections.
Melaye also used the opportunity to restate the party’s ambition to challenge the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), expressing confidence in the ADC’s growing influence across the country.
“ADC is entrenched, and we are kicking out APC,” he said.
The APC is currently the ruling party at the federal level and remains one of the most dominant political forces in Nigeria. However, smaller parties like the ADC have continued to position themselves as alternatives, seeking to attract support from Nigerians who are dissatisfied with the current system.
The dispute over the convention venue also raises questions about the enforcement of contracts and the rights of organizations to use privately owned facilities without interference.
For many Nigerians, the unfolding events highlight the challenges of conducting political activities in a tense environment, where disagreements can quickly escalate into public disputes.
There are also concerns about the impact of such conflicts on Nigeria’s democratic process, particularly the ability of political parties to operate freely and organise events without obstruction.
As the situation develops, attention will be on whether the ADC successfully holds its convention as planned and whether the issues surrounding the venue will be resolved.
For now, Melaye and other party leaders remain firm in their position, insisting that the convention will go ahead regardless of any pressure.
His strong words underline the party’s determination to push forward with its plans, even in the face of challenges.
With political activities expected to intensify in the coming years, especially ahead of future elections, incidents like this may continue to test the strength of Nigeria’s democratic institutions and the level of tolerance for opposition voices.
Whether the current dispute will have lasting political consequences remains to be seen, but it has already drawn national attention and sparked fresh debate about fairness, rights, and the rule of law in Nigeria’s political space.