By Ismail Azeez
The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has called on the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to allow Nigerians to freely decide who governs them, accusing the ruling party of creating obstacles for opposition activities.
According to the party, “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 also raised concerns over what it described as increasing attempts to restrict the democratic space and muzzle opposition voices.
In a statement signed on Thursday by its National Publicity Secretary, Osa Director, the party alleged that some hotels in Abuja had discriminated against it by withdrawing approval for the use of their facilities.
Director said, “The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) is sad to note that the desperate attempt to constrict the democratic space and muzzle the opposition is on the increase.”
“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.”
“On two occasions, Rockview Hotel in Abuja after agreeing to the use of their facilities for our meetings without a genuine excuse cancelled the grant at the last minute of negotiation.”
“The first time it happened was when they rejected our request to hold our second NEC meeting in June 2026 at the last minute.”
“Only recently, they refused our utilization of their facilities for a meeting, saying it was an order from above.”
“Similarly, BON Hotel in Wuse, Abuja, bluntly refused our usage of their facilities for a meeting despite our meeting all conditions placed in our path.”
“Also, the recent unveiling of our National Campaign Council (NCC) did not happen without drama from the hospitality industry in Abuja.”
“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.”
“However, our refusal to budge inevitably compelled them to allow us the usage of the facility we had paid for,” the statement read.
