ARISE News Director of News and Politics Editor, Sumner Sambo, has said that the uncertainty surrounds the planned April 14 national convention of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) as venue denials, internal disputes and ongoing court cases threaten to derail the exercise.
Speaking on ARISE News on Monday, Sambo revealed that the party is facing significant logistical and political obstacles, including alleged pressure on event centre owners in Abuja to deny the ADC access to facilities.
“The ADC will tomorrow be having three events. One is the National Convention that they are planning to hold. The latest, I spoke with some of their officers.
“They told me that they’ve been trying to get a venue in Abuja. The Eagle Square was denied them, the velodrome of the National Stadium in Abuja was denied them, and that they had booked two event centres. And the owners of the event centres have been threatened and asked not to give them out,” he said.
Despite these setbacks, Sambo noted that the party remains determined to proceed.
“They are insisting that the convention will hold, even if it’s going to be at an open field,” he added, noting that journalists would monitor developments as they unfold.
Beyond logistics, Sambo highlighted a complex web of legal challenges confronting the party. He explained that the Supreme Court is expected to hear a case involving former Senate President David Mark, seeking clarification on whether the Federal High Court should entertain disputes relating to internal party affairs.
“At the courts, you will be seeing where the Supreme Court will be hearing this case of David Mark… trying to seek interpretation of the Court of Appeal ruling on whether the Federal High Court should proceed,” he said.
He added that the Federal High Court is also scheduled to sit on the same matter, though it may defer to the Supreme Court.
Sambo stressed that the ADC’s troubles are compounded by internal divisions exposed during its congresses across several states.
“Look at Edo State… they are fighting over who is the rightful chairman-elect. The same thing you see in Katsina and other states. If ADC says it is coming to save Nigeria and it can’t save itself from these little challenges, what exactly is it coming to do at the centre?” he queried.
According to him, the crisis reflects a broader systemic issue within Nigeria’s political parties.
“The major problem that we have is the lack of internal democracy in political parties — whether APC, ADC or PDP. It is a Nigerian political problem,” Sambo said.
He also warned that unresolved disputes over party leadership and congress outcomes could trigger further litigation.
“Some former state chairmen are still claiming their tenures have not expired. That means some of the congresses conducted may be in violation… and the cases are just starting,” he noted.
Despite the turmoil, Sambo observed that the ADC continues to attract new members, suggesting ongoing strategic calculations among opposition figures.
“People are still joining the ADC… but from what I’m hearing, if things don’t go well between now and mid-May, they may adopt another political platform,” he disclosed.
On the broader political landscape, Sambo cautioned the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) against overconfidence, arguing that its strategies may be inadvertently strengthening the opposition.
“Appointees in government will push the narrative of their principals… but they should not be overconfident of the political process,” he said.
Reflecting on the last general election, he warned that the APC may be “over-strategising” by allowing opposition forces to converge.
“If you look at how close the figures were, it was more like a narrow escape. Allowing opposition figures to come together on one platform suggests the tactics are being overstretched,” Sambo said.
He further criticised what he described as political brinkmanship by government spokespersons, likening it to past eras of exaggerated political messaging.
“Appointees will always defend their principals. But politics can always go the other way,” he cautioned.
Sambo, however, acknowledged President Bola Tinubu’s political skill while questioning governance outcomes.
“President Tinubu has played politics very well… but when it comes to governance, it is left for Nigerians to decide whether he is as good at governance as he is at politics,” he said.
As the ADC pushes ahead with its convention plans amid mounting uncertainty, Sambo concluded that the coming days would be decisive.
“It’s going to be a very tough situation for the ADC tomorrow… time will tell.”
Boluwatife Enome
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