The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has accused the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of pressuring hotels in Abuja to deny opposition parties access to their facilities for meetings and other political activities.
The opposition party alleged that some hotels in the Federal Capital Territory had repeatedly withdrawn earlier agreements to provide venues for its meetings, describing the development as an attempt to restrict political participation and undermine democratic activities ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The NDC made the allegations in a statement issued on Thursday by its National Publicity Secretary, Osa Director, who said the party had become a target of discrimination within Abuja’s hospitality industry.
According to Director, Rockview Hotel, Abuja, cancelled arrangements to provide facilities for the party’s meetings on two separate occasions, despite initially agreeing to host the events.
He said the first incident occurred in June 2026, when the hotel allegedly withdrew its approval at the last minute for the party’s second National Executive Committee meeting.
The NDC further claimed that the hotel recently declined another request to use its facilities for a meeting, reportedly explaining that the decision was based on an instruction from an undisclosed authority.
“Only recently, they refused our utilisation of their facilities for a meeting, saying it was order from above,” the statement said.
The party also accused BON Hotel in Wuse, Abuja, of refusing to make its facilities available for a meeting despite its claim that it had fulfilled all the conditions required by the hotel.
Director said the alleged restrictions extended to the party’s recent unveiling of its National Campaign Council, which he claimed was nearly disrupted after the venue provider requested a refund of the payment already made.
According to the NDC, the host venue informed the party that it was no longer willing to provide its facilities for the event, allegedly following threats or instructions from unnamed individuals.
The party, however, said it insisted on proceeding with the arrangement because it had already paid for the facility, adding that the event eventually held after it stood its ground.
Describing the incidents as an attempt to shrink the democratic space, Director said the alleged actions were unacceptable and called on the ruling party to allow opposition groups to carry out their activities without interference.
“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.
The NDC also appealed to Nigerians and supporters of democracy to speak out over the alleged conduct of Rockview Hotel and BON Hotel, urging hospitality businesses to provide services without political discrimination.
The party maintained that opposition groups should be free to organise meetings, hold consultations, unveil campaign structures and present their programmes to Nigerians without unnecessary restrictions.
The allegations come as political parties intensify preparations and political engagements ahead of the 2027 general elections.
However, the claims against the APC and the hotels have not been independently established.
The reports reviewed did not contain responses from the APC, Rockview Hotel or BON Hotel to the allegations.
