Leaders of several opposition political parties in Nigeria on Wednesday accused the ruling party of attempting to silence dissenting voices after a hotel abruptly declined to provide a venue earlier booked for a scheduled press conference.
The planned briefing was to focus on Tuesday’s reported attacks on notable opposition figures in Benin, Edo State, including Peter Obi and John Odigie-Oyegun.
It was also expected to address concerns surrounding the arrest and continued detention of key opposition figures such as former Kaduna State governor Nasir El-Rufai and former Minister of Justice Abubakar Malami.
According to Daily Trust, the opposition leaders were still searching for an alternative venue after being denied access to the previously secured location.
Commenting on the development, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, National Publicity Secretary of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), alleged that the action was part of a broader effort by the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to weaken opposition parties.
He confirmed that the hotel withdrew its approval for the event and claimed the move was politically motivated.
According to him, the APC aims to compel other political parties to support its candidates.
“It is true that the hotel denied the organizers the use of their facility, I can confirm to you, it is true. This is part of the repression that this government is turning to a culture.
“We have made something clear. What this government wants is to ensure that there is no opposition at all. It is a civilian version of what the late Abacha did when he established five political parties and they endorsed and supported him.
“He did not want any opposition party to survive and that is part of what they are doing. APC is becoming repressive. But we have moved on. We have secured another venue.”
The reference to Abacha alludes to Nigeria’s late military ruler, Sani Abacha, under whose regime five political parties famously adopted him as their sole presidential candidate.
Observers recall a similar episode last year when a group was stopped from staging a theatrical production highlighting the achievements of former President Goodluck Jonathan amid calls urging him to consider a bid for the 2027 presidential election.
