A high-profile event to unveil the African Democratic Congress (ADC) as a coalition platform for Nigeria’s opposition parties was disrupted on Wednesday after the Wells Carlton Hotel in Abuja abruptly cancelled a fully paid reservation just hours before kickoff.
The gathering, set to be held at the upscale Wells Carlton Hotel and Apartments in Asokoro, was expected to formally present the ADC as the united front to challenge the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2027 general elections.
But in a shocking twist, organisers were notified early Wednesday that the hotel would no longer host the event, citing an “internal compliance matter” without further clarification.
A screenshot of the hotel’s cancellation message shared by media mogul and politician Dele Momodu on Instagram 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 move has triggered outrage among opposition figures, with Momodu accusing the APC-led federal government of political intimidation.
“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 said.
Salihu Lukman, speaking on behalf of People and Passion Consult Ltd, which booked the venue, also condemned the cancellation in a strongly worded statement posted alongside Momodu’s.
“This is unacceptable. Your management has no right to unilaterally sabotage a contract validly and legally agreed to and fully paid for. You must meet the terms of the contract fully by allowing the event to hold with full compliments of all the services agreed to. This is not negotiable,” Lukman stated.
The cancelled event was slated to host prominent opposition heavyweights including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, ex-Senate President David Mark, and former governors Aminu Tambuwal, Sule Lamido, Liyel Imoke, and Sam Egwu.
Other notable figures reportedly involved include Labour Party’s Peter Obi, ex-Kaduna Governor Nasir El-Rufai, and former Transportation Minister Rotimi Amaechi.
