In what is being described as a calculated act of political sabotage, the highly anticipated unveiling of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) as the political platform for Nigeria’s burgeoning opposition coalition was abruptly halted on Wednesday following a last-minute cancellation by the Wells Carlton Hotel and Apartments in Asokoro, Abuja.
The event, billed as a landmark gathering of Nigeria’s most influential political figures across party lines, was aimed at formally presenting the ADC as the opposition’s central vehicle to challenge the All Progressives Congress (APC) and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the 2027 general elections.
However, mere hours before the high-profile event was scheduled to begin, the hotel’s management informed organizers that it could no longer host the function, citing an unspecified “internal compliance matter.”
A screenshot of the hotel’s cancellation message, shared by opposition figure and media mogul 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.”
Momodu condemned the action as a blatant example of state-sponsored intimidation, describing it as a desperate attempt by a jittery ruling party to stifle growing opposition momentum.
> “The intimidation of opposition by a jittery government continues,” Momodu stated.
“The hotel’s sudden cancellation reeks of fear, allegedly fueled by threats of reprisals from APC operatives. But this cowardly act will not deter us. The opposition remains resolute in its mission to challenge and unseat the APC come 2027.”
Salihu Lukman, a former chieftain of the APC and now a key figure in the opposition coalition, also lashed out at the hotel management in a strongly worded letter released through Momodu’s social media platform. Writing on behalf of People and Passion Consult Ltd, Lukman denounced the cancellation as a breach of contract and demanded that the hotel reverse its decision.
> “This is unacceptable. Your management has no right to unilaterally sabotage a contract that was legally agreed to and fully paid for,” Lukman wrote.
“You must meet the terms of the contract by allowing the event to proceed with all the agreed-upon services. This is not negotiable.”
Despite the disruption, the opposition coalition has remained defiant. Sources close to the group confirmed that the unveiling of the ADC as its political platform had already taken place during a closed-door meeting on Tuesday night, with strategic leadership positions already assigned.
In a bold and unexpected twist, former Senate President David Mark was nominated as the ADC’s protem National Chairman, while former Osun State Governor and ex-Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola, was named the protem National Secretary.
The high-level meeting that sealed the formation of the new coalition was attended by a formidable cast of political heavyweights, including former Rivers State Governor and ex-Minister of Transportation Rotimi Amaechi, Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate Peter Obi, former APC National Chairman John Odigie-Oyegun, ex-Attorney General Abubakar Malami, former Kaduna Governor Nasir El-Rufai, former Cross River Governor Liyel Imoke, and former House of Representatives Speaker and ex-Sokoto Governor Aminu Tambuwal.
Other prominent figures present included political strategist Kashim Imam and other senior stakeholders from various political backgrounds — reflecting a dramatic realignment of forces in Nigeria’s volatile political landscape.
Insiders at the meeting described the move as a “strategic convergence” driven by a collective resolve to unseat President Tinubu and dismantle the APC’s political grip in the 2027 elections.
> “This isn’t just a coalition; it’s an earthquake,” one source close to the discussions revealed.
“It is a movement that cuts across regional, ethnic, and ideological boundaries. The mission is simple — rescue Nigeria.”
With tensions already rising and 2027 still two years away, the unfolding drama signals a fierce political battle ahead — and perhaps a new dawn in Nigeria’s democratic history.
PIONEER NEWS 