By Ogbeche Iduma, Abuja
The Coalition group’s plight took a worrisome dimension on Wednesday with the booking for a formal event slated to unveil the African Democratic Congress (ADC) as the main platform to challenge President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2027 elections, suddenly botched at last-minute by Wells Carlton Hotel and Apartments in Abuja.
The fully paid reservation was cancelled by the hotel management just hours before the event on Wednesday.
However, on Wednesday morning, organisers were informed that the hotel would no longer be able to host the event, citing an unspecified “internal compliance matter.”
A screenshot of the hotel’s message posted by opposition politician and media figure, 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 Daily Crucible reports that the appointment of former governor of Osun State and the immediate-past Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola, has been rejected by key stakeholders of ADC hours after he accepted his emergence as interim national secretary of the party.
Aregbesola and former President of Nigerian Senate, David Bonaventure Mark were to be unveiled to the public earlier today, Wednesday, July 2, as the new leadership of the party while the occasion was also to be used to formally announce ADC as the political platform adopted by the coalition forces to challenge Tinubu and the APC in 2027 but the event venue owner cancelled the use of the facility abruptly.
ADC has, however, been compelled to opt for Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Centre in Central Area of Abuja at the eleventh hour to hold the planned unveiling of Senator Mark, Aregbesola and other party leaders this evening as initially planned before the unanticipated change in venue.
Expectedly, ex-Vice President Atiku Abubakar, the 2023 presidential candidate of Labour Party(LP) and former Anambra State Governor, Peter Obi, have already arrived at the Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Centre in Abuja for the unveiling.
Others in attendance include former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai; his former Rivers State counterpart, Rotimi Amaechi; Senator Dino Melaye; a former Minister of Youth and Sports, Solomon Dalung; publisher and PDP chieftain, Dele Momodu; Senators Gabriel Suswam and Ireti Kingibe of the Labour Party; and a former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Emeka Ihedioha.
The coalition meeting, which is a rainbow of several political parties – the Peoples Democratic Party, Labour Party, Social Democratic Party, other interests and association also had in attendance, a former Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar (retd.).
The meeting is being held on the platform of the African Democratic Congress(ADC) ahead of the 2027 general elections. The group has adopted the ADC as the political vehicle to challenge the ruling All Progressives Congress at the polls.
