NDC Accuses APC of Blocking Venues, Billboards

The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has accused the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of allegedly frustrating its political activities by obstructing access to event venues and billboard spaces ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The NDC National Publicity Secretary, Osa Director, made the allegation during an interview on Arise Television on Monday, insisting that the party would not be intimidated or prevented from reaching Nigerians.

Director said the party had paid for four different venues to host its programmes but encountered obstacles each time, forcing it to seek alternative locations.

He alleged that the latest venue booking was cancelled shortly after the party announced its planned activities publicly.

“This is the fourth venue we are paying for. We kept this one under wraps until just a few hours ago when we issued the press release, only for us to be called that the political marauders have come and said they are the owners of the land, so we should take back our money,” he said.

The NDC spokesman maintained that the party would continue with its activities, arguing that Nigerians had made enormous sacrifices to secure the country’s democracy and that no political group should be denied its constitutional rights.

“Nigeria belongs to us all. Nobody owns Nigeria. We fought; we used our life and sweat and blood to fight for this democracy we are enjoying today. So who is that person to tell me that I will not have a right to exercise my freedom of speech and freedom of assembly?” he asked.

Director also alleged that the party had been denied access to billboard spaces but insisted that the setbacks would not prevent it from communicating its message to voters.

Addressing criticism that the NDC had been slow to establish its campaign structure, he said the party’s presidential candidate, Peter Obi, had already held several town hall meetings across the country.

According to him, the party had conducted at least four meetings, covering almost all geopolitical zones, and intended to prioritise direct engagement with Nigerians over elaborate rallies and entertainment-driven campaigns.

The party had scheduled the inauguration of its National Campaign Council, the commissioning of its new secretariat in Jabi, Abuja, and the presentation of Certificates of Return to its candidates for Monday.

Director explained that the presentation of the certificates was largely a formal exercise, as the candidates’ names had already appeared on the Independent National Electoral Commission’s portal.

He also reiterated the party’s commitment to financial transparency, saying the NDC would make its statement of account public while challenging the APC to disclose its own financial records.

On the party’s anti-defection oath, Director said the measure was intended to discourage defections and what he described as reckless political manoeuvring. He added that members dissatisfied with the outcome of party primaries remained free to seek redress in court.

The NDC spokesman further dismissed allegations that the party’s National Leader, Senator Seriake Dickson, was secretly working for the APC, describing the claim as baseless.

He maintained that Obi enjoyed widespread support among Nigerians and warned that attempts to restrict political participation could revive the kind of underground journalism associated with the military era.

However, an APC official who spoke to *Vanguard* on condition of anonymity dismissed the NDC’s allegations, describing them as unworthy of a response.

The official challenged the opposition party to identify the specific state government or ministry that allegedly prevented it from accessing the facilities.

“You want us to be responding to such baseless allegations? The party will not. Are we in kindergarten? Which state? Which ministry denied them the use of facilities?” the official said.

The competing statements have brought renewed attention to allegations of political obstruction ahead of the 2027 elections. While the NDC insists it has faced repeated difficulties securing venues and advertising spaces, the APC official rejected the accusations, and the specific circumstances surrounding the alleged cancellations remain unverified.