NDC says Abuja hotels cancelled its bookings under pressure from APC
- The NDC alleges Rockview Hotel twice withdrew approval for its meetings, including a June NEC meeting.
- The party also names BON Hotel in Wuse and says a campaign council unveiling nearly fell through.
- The APC has not responded to the allegations, which the NDC made in a statement on Thursday.
The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) says it is struggling to book venues in Abuja, alleging that the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) is leaning on hotels to shut the opposition out.
The party made the claim in a statement on Thursday signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Osa Director. It named Rockview Hotel and BON Hotel in Wuse as the venues involved.
According to the NDC, Rockview twice pulled out of arrangements at short notice. The first time, the party said, was in June 2026, when the hotel cancelled a booking for its second National Executive Committee meeting. The party said the hotel recently did the same again, and that its representatives were told the decision came from "above".
The NDC also said BON Hotel in Wuse turned down its request for a meeting even though the party had met all the hotel's conditions.
A third venue, which the party did not name, reportedly asked for its money back after payment had been made for the unveiling of the NDC's National Campaign Council. The party said it refused to back out and the hotel eventually allowed the event to hold.
What the party is asking for
The NDC wants the APC to leave opposition parties alone to campaign and hold meetings ahead of the 2027 general elections. It also urged Nigerians and civil society groups to speak up against the hotels.
"This is not democracy," Director said in the statement, calling on the ruling party to let all parties operate freely.
The APC has not commented on the allegations. The hotels named have also not responded publicly, and there is no independent confirmation that any pressure was applied.
The NDC said the incidents point to a wider pattern of opposition parties being treated unfairly by businesses in the capital.
Why it matters
Campaigns for the 2027 elections are already taking shape, and opposition parties need halls and hotels for meetings, primaries and rallies. If venues become hard to secure, smaller parties say their ability to reach voters shrinks.
Nigerians have a stake in whether all parties can organise freely, because the choice on the ballot is only real if every side gets room to make its case.
The NDC said it will keep going with its programmes despite the setbacks.
