ADC secures Abuja venue for National Convention after earlier uncertainty

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has confirmed a venue for its national convention, scheduled to take place in Abuja on Tuesday, ending earlier doubts about the event.

In a post on its official X handle on Monday, the party announced that the convention will be held at the Rainbow Event Centre in Garki Area 8 of the Federal Capital Territory.

The party noted that the location is central and easily accessible for delegates and stakeholders from across the country.

“Venue for the ADC National Convention: Rainbow Event Centre, Plot 1193A, Off Southern Parkway, Garki Area 8, Abuja. Landmarks: Behind the FCDA/AGIS Building, close to the NTA Headquarters, Area 11,” the statement read.

The announcement came after concerns were raised less than 24 hours before the convention over the lack of a confirmed venue. Kola Ologbondiyan, media aide to the party’s embattled National Chairman, Senator David Mark, had said on Sunday that the ADC had yet to secure a venue.

“Twenty-four hours to the ADC National Convention, the Nigerians-aligned political party is yet to be issued a venue,” he stated.

Ologbondiyan also disclosed that the party had formally applied to the office of the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, for approval to use Eagle Square but received no response despite an acknowledgement of the request.

He added that attempts to secure alternative facilities at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, including the Velodrome, also failed.

However, reacting to the claims on Monday, Wike denied that any formal application had been submitted to his office.

He insisted that Eagle Square is open to all organisations as long as due process is followed and the required fees are paid.

“We do not deny access; these events actually generate revenue for the government. Who denied them? I am not even aware of which party you are referring to,” he said.

About The Author

Dele Fashomi

Dele Fashomi, seasoned journalist and communication teacher, is a holder of Master of Arts degree in Communication and Language Arts from the University of Ibadan in 1992/93.

Earlier, he had bagged a Bachelor degree from the same university in 1984, after which he proceeded to the Nigerian Institute of Journalism, Lagos, in 1990, for a postgraduate diploma in Journalism.

He had done many courses in communication, including the EU-BBC Editing Course in 2002.

Mr. Fashomi combines effectively the practice, research and teaching of communication. And to date, he has published two academic works in communication: Issues in Communication Technology and Policy (2010) and Economic and Social Issues in Advertising and PR (2013).

He had his first break in the Nigerian media in Concord Newspapers in 1990 and today, he has over two and half decades experience earned in several newspapers.

He has been part of many start-ups, such as The Republic (1987), The Comet (1999), The Anchor 2001 – 2002; Sun Newspapers (2003); Westerner newsmagazine (2005 – 2010) as Editor; National Life (2011) as Sunday Editor, and Newswatch Newspapers (2012- 2016) as Daily Editor.

Dele Fashomi is now the Publisher/Editor-in-Chief of Newstide247.com newspaper online, which he started in July 2015. He is also into biography writing, with many books in his trail, some of which he wrote alone and one he co- authored with his mentor, Mr Dare Babarinsa, entitled:  Olabiyi Durojaiye – DARE TO BE DiFFERENT. He also guided and collaborated with Pa Olatunji Odusanya in writing his autobiography – AGAINST ALL ODDS. There are many other books in the works under his pen.

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