The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has accused the All Progressives Congress (APC) of mounting pressure on hotels in Abuja to deny opposition parties access to their facilities for political meetings and other activities.
The party alleged that the ruling APC was behind what it described as deliberate attempts to restrict the activities of opposition groups and shrink the democratic space in the Federal Capital Territory.
NDC raised the allegation in a press statement issued on Thursday, November, by its National Publicity Secretary, Osa Director.
The party said it had not only been subjected to violent attacks allegedly carried out by agents of the ruling APC but had also become a target of discrimination by hotels and other businesses in Abuja’s hospitality industry.
According to the NDC, Rockview Hotel in Abuja cancelled agreements to provide facilities for its meetings on two separate occasions, despite initially agreeing to host the party.
It disclosed that the first incident occurred in June 2026 when the hotel allegedly withdrew its approval at the last minute, preventing the party from holding its second National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting.
The party said the hotel recently repeated the action when it again refused to allow it to use its facilities for another meeting.
“Only recently, they refused our utilization of their facilities for a meeting, saying it was order from above,” the statement read.
The NDC also accused BON Hotel in Wuse, Abuja, of denying it access to its facilities despite the party having fulfilled the conditions required to use the venue.
The party further alleged that attempts to unveil its National Campaign Council (NCC) were initially frustrated by another hospitality business, which reportedly withdrew its willingness to host the event after receiving payment.
“At the last minute, our host called the party to refund the payment made, saying they were no longer interested in making their facilities available, perhaps based on threats and orders from above,” the statement added.
However, the NDC said it refused to accept the decision and insisted on using the facility after making the necessary payment.
The opposition party described the alleged actions as undemocratic, accusing the APC of attempting to prevent political opponents from freely carrying out their activities ahead of the 2027 general election.
“This is not democracy. The APC should allow all parties to campaign without let or hindrance, and give Nigerians the opportunity to make their choice on who governs them,” the party stated.
The NDC also called on Nigerians and supporters of democracy to condemn the alleged discriminatory actions of Rockview Hotel and BON Hotel.
“In addition, we implore all well-meaning Nigerians and lovers of democracy to call out Rockview and BON Hotel for their anti-people and anti-democratic actions,” it said.
The party maintained that Nigerians deserved a political environment where all parties could freely organise meetings, campaign and present their programmes without intimidation.
“Nigerians deserve better, and NDC is prepared to serve with passion and patriotism,” the statement added.
The development follows a controversial Federal High Court judgment in Abuja that nullified the leadership of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) led by former Senate President David Mark.
Justice Peter Lifu, who delivered the judgment on Thursday, upheld a suit filed by Nafiu Bala Gombe, a former National Deputy Chairman (North-East) of the ADC, challenging the emergence of the Mark-led leadership.
The court declared the actions taken by the Mark-led leadership invalid, effectively nullifying decisions of its caretaker committee, including the process that produced former Vice President Atiku Abubakar as the party’s presidential candidate for the 2027 election.
Gombe had argued that he was entitled to take over the party’s leadership following the resignation of its former National Chairman, Ralph Nwosu.
He also maintained that the emergence of Mark and former Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola as National Chairman and National Secretary, respectively, violated the party’s constitution and provisions of the Electoral Act.
However, the party has vowed to challenge the ruling at the appellate court. Its National Welfare Secretary, Nkemakolam Ukandu, who was joined in the case as an interested party, confirmed that the leadership would appeal the judgment.
The court ruling came barely 24 hours after Atiku held a campaign rally in Sokoto State, where he accused members of the APC of allegedly attempting to manipulate the 2027 election by buying voters’ cards in northern communities.
Addressing supporters during the flag-off of his presidential campaign on Wednesday, Atiku urged Nigerians to participate actively in the election and protect their votes.
He warned that low voter turnout could create opportunities for those allegedly buying voters’ cards to manipulate the electoral process and misrepresent the level of opposition support in northern Nigeria.
“Let us come out and vote as if it were Judgment Day. Come out in large numbers, protect your votes and escort them until they are secured,” the former Vice President said.
He further alleged that APC members were moving from one village to another to purchase voters’ cards.
“If you fail to turn out in large numbers, people will go from village to village buying voters’ cards to create the impression that we do not have as many supporters as those in the South. Go out and cast your vote, and protect it,” Atiku added.
