Abuja Hotel Cancels ADC Unveiling Hours Before Event, Opposition Cries Foul

Date: July 2, 2025
By: Emmanuel Lloyd | Gist Reports

A major opposition political event in Abuja was abruptly disrupted on Wednesday after the Wells Carlton Hotel and Apartments cancelled the venue reservation for the African Democratic Congress (ADC) unveiling just hours before it was scheduled to begin.

The event was intended to position the ADC as a unifying platform to challenge the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2027 general elections. The organisers had fully paid for the venue, but received a last-minute message from the hotel citing an unspecified \"internal compliance matter.\"

Opposition Reacts Strongly

Media figure and politician Dele Momodu shared the cancellation notice on Instagram, alleging that the action was politically motivated. He wrote:

“The intimidation of opposition by a jittery government continues... the hotel cancelled due to fear of reprisals from APC operatives.”

Momodu and other opposition voices described the move as an attempt to suppress political dissent.

Salihu Lukman, writing on behalf of People and Passion Consult Ltd, condemned the hotel’s action, saying it violated a valid and fully-paid contract.

“Your management has no right to sabotage a legally agreed contract. This is not negotiable,” Lukman stated.

High-Profile Guests Expected

The ADC unveiling was expected to draw several political heavyweights, including:

• Atiku Abubakar (Former Vice President)
• David Mark (Former Senate President)
• Peter Obi (Labour Party)
• Nasir El-Rufai (Former Kaduna State Governor)
• Rotimi Amaechi (Former Minister of Transport)
• Former Governors Tambuwal, Lamido, Imoke, and Egwu

Despite the setback, organisers say the event will go on in another form and pledged to continue uniting opposition forces for the 2027 elections