By Suleiman Anyalewechi
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike, has rejected claims that the opposition African Democratic Congress, ADC, has been denied the use of the Eagle Square for its April 14, 2026, National Convention.
This is as he explained that the Moshood Abiola National Stadium Velodrome which played host to the Wike-backed Abdulraham Mohammed-led Peoples Democratic party PDP Convention penultimate week, is under the control of the Federal Ministry of Sports, and not the FCT Administration.
The Source reports that the planned venue of the ADC Convention had been marred in controversy, with initial speculations suggesting that the Management of the Abuja Nicon Hilton Hotel was allegedly forced to cancel at the last minute , earlier bookings by the party.
However ,the management of the Hotel responded swiftly , with an emphatic denial of any such bookings by the party.
Similarly, there were also reports alleging that the opposition party, which is currently locked in a battle of wits with the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, over the status of the Senator David Mark-led National Executive Committee NEC, has been denied the use of the Eagle Square and the Velodrome for its National Convention by authorities.
But responding to the allegation on Monday during an inspection tour of some ongoing projects, Wike insisted that there were no formal applications for the use of the Eagle Square by the ADC, or any other political party.
According to him, intending users of the national facility normally apply through the Abuja Investments Company Limited which is the supervising authority, with the appropriate payment equally made through the outfit.
He maintained that as at the last check, no such application was filed by the opposition Coalition.
“Who denied them the use of the Eagle Square? I am not aware of any such development, and I don’t even know which party you are referring to.
” If it is the African Democratic Congress, ADC, such claims are part of their usual ways of attempting to gain public sympathy”, the FCT stated.
He emphasized that the use of the national facility is subject to adherence to due process, including a formal application through the Abuja Investments Company Limited.
“As we speak, no formal application has been submitted to the Abuja Investments Company Limited.
“When the All Progressive Congress, APC, used the venue, and the PDP used the Stadium Velodrome, they complied with the process. We do not deny anyone access if the rules are followed”, he submitted.
Not a few people, however, have the feeling that the ADC is being deliberately frustrated.
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