The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has accused the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of pressuring hotels in Abuja to deny the opposition party access to venues for its political meetings.
In a statement issued on Thursday, November 5, 2026, NDC National Publicity Secretary Osa Director alleged that there was a “desperate attempt” to shrink the democratic space and silence opposition parties. He said the party had faced repeated last-minute cancellations despite meeting the conditions set by the hotels.
According to Director, Rockview Hotel, Abuja, cancelled the NDC’s booking on two occasions after initially agreeing to provide facilities for its meetings. He said the first incident occurred in June 2026, when the hotel allegedly withdrew approval for the party’s second National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting at the last minute.
“The NDC has not just been a target of violent attacks by agents of the ruling and ruinous APC, it has become a soft target of discrimination by hoteliers and the hospitality industry in Abuja,” the statement reads.
“On two occasions, Rockview Hotel in Abuja after agreeing to the use of their facilities for our meetings without genuine excuse cancelled the grant in the last minute of negotiation.
“The first time it happened was when at the last minute they rejected our request to hold our 2nd NEC meeting in June, 2026.
“Only recently, they refused our utilization of their facilities for a meeting saying it was order from above.
“Similarly, the BON Hotel, Wuse, Abuja bluntly refused our usage of their facilities for a meeting despite meeting all conditions placed on our path.”
Director added that the NDC’s recent unveiling of its national campaign council was nearly disrupted after the host hotel requested a refund of the payment already made, saying it was no longer willing to provide the venue.
He said the hotel eventually allowed the event to proceed after the party insisted on using the facility for which it had paid.
The NDC spokesperson said Nigerians deserved better, adding that the opposition party was prepared to serve with passion and patriotism.
“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,” he said.
“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.”
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