The African Democratic Congress (ADC)-led coalition has announced a new venue for its official unveiling after its original booking was abruptly cancelled by Wells Carlton Hotel in Abuja on Wednesday.
The event was originally set to take place at Wells Carlton Hotel and Apartments in Asokoro and was meant to introduce the ADC as the chosen political platform to challenge the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2027 elections.
However, on Wednesday morning, the hotel informed the organisers that it could no longer host the event, citing an unspecified “internal compliance matter.”
A screenshot of the hotel’s message was shared online by media personality and politician Dele Momodu, who expressed disappointment over the last-minute change.
Part of the hotel’s message read: “Dear Esteemed Patron, Thank you once again for choosing the Wells Carlton Hotel and Apartments.
“We sincerely regret to inform you that due to an internal compliance matter that has just come to our attention, we are unable to proceed with hosting your scheduled event.
“We are fully aware that the event is less than 24 hours away, and we deeply apologise for the timing and inconvenience this may cause.”
The cancellation sparked strong reactions from members of the opposition, with some accusing the APC-led government of using political pressure to disrupt the event.
In a post accompanying the screenshot, Momodu alleged political interference, saying that the ruling party was jittery of the coalition’s emergence despite dismissing it earlier.
“The intimidation of opposition by a jittery government continues as the booking of a venue for the unveiling of the adopted party, ADC, by the coalition has been unilaterally and suddenly cancelled by the management of the hotel due to what insiders described as fear of reprisals from APC operatives.
“But this will not dampen the daredevil determination of opposition forces who are poised to hotly challenge the ruling party,” Momodu wrote.
In a new statement signed by ADC Deputy National Secretary Nkem Ukandu, the coalition revealed that it has secured a new location.
ADC announced that the unveiling would now take place at the Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Centre in Abuja by 2:00 PM on Wednesday.
“Members of the National Working Committee, National Executive Committee, BOT, and other key stakeholders and members are expected to attend.
“Please note that attendance is self-sponsored,” the statement read.
The ADC is emerging as the central platform for a broad coalition of opposition parties ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Top political figures such as former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Labour Party’s Peter Obi, former Senate President David Mark, and former governors Rauf Aregbesola and Nasir El-Rufai are reportedly backing the movement.
Meanwhile, a faction of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) has opposed the party’s recent adoption by a coalition of opposition politicians.