The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has insisted that its national convention will proceed on Tuesday in Abuja despite controversy over the use of the Rainbow Event Centre.

Former senator Dino Melaye, a chieftain of the party, told journalists at the venue that the event would go ahead as scheduled, dismissing concerns about possible disruption.

The development follows claims by ADC National Publicity Secretary Bolaji Abdullahi that there was an attempt to pressure the management of the venue into cancelling the booking.

Abdullahi alleged that officials linked to the Federal Capital Territory Administration and the Minister of the FCT, Nyesom Wike, threatened the venue operator with sanctions if it allowed the party to hold its convention there.

He described the situation as political intimidation, insisting that the party had already secured the venue through a valid contract and full payment.

Despite the controversy, Abdullahi maintained that the convention would proceed as planned, saying the party would not be deterred by what he called attempts to frustrate its activities.

At the venue on Tuesday, Melaye also reaffirmed the party’s position, saying the ADC had fulfilled all requirements for the use of the facility.

“We paid in full for this venue for the ADC convention, and we will hold it here,” he said, adding that no party could be stopped from using a legally secured facility.

The dispute comes amid earlier claims that the party had struggled to secure a venue for the convention, including alleged unsuccessful attempts to use Eagle Square and other public facilities in Abuja.

However, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory Nyesom Wike has denied the allegations, stating that no formal request was received from the party and that public venues remain accessible to all groups that follow due process and payment requirements.