Dare Babalola
A chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and member of its convention planning committee, Dino Melaye, has declared that nothing will prevent the party from proceeding with its scheduled convention, despite reported attempts to deny it access to the event venue.
The convention, slated for Tuesday, had faced uncertainty following claims that the party was being blocked from using the facility.
However, speaking during an interview on Arise Television’s Morning Show, Melaye insisted that the ADC remained resolute, citing a binding agreement and full payment for the venue.
His remarks come against the backdrop of earlier concerns raised by the party’s spokesperson, Bolaji Abdullahi, who disclosed that the owner of the event centre had come under pressure not to allow the ADC use the facility or risk losing its license.
Abdullahi suggested that the alleged pressure was part of efforts to frustrate the party’s activities ahead of the convention.
Providing details of the standoff, Melaye revealed that there were attempts to evict organisers and shut the gates of the venue, but the planning committee resisted, insisting on their contractual rights.
“I have that information as a member of the planning committee and the chairman of the protocol committee, and not only were we even asked to leave yesterday, they wanted to shut the gates, but we insisted, and said we are not going to leave because we have a contract duly signed with this place, and we paid fully,” he said.
“We have receipt of payments. We have duly signed contracts. The most important thing is that at the end of the day we are here, and we will hold our convention here.”
The former lawmaker further stressed that no amount of intimidation could derail the event.
“Nobody will stop us. After a contract, a proper contract, with the owners of this place, and after payment and receipt issued, no battalion would have moved us away from here today. So convention is going to hold. The exercise will hold,” he added.
Melaye also used the opportunity to reiterate the party’s political ambition, expressing confidence in the ADC’s growing strength and its determination to challenge the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
According to him, the party remains focused on consolidating its structure nationwide, dismissing the venue dispute as a temporary setback that would not hinder its broader objectives.
