Agric ministry disrupts ADC briefing at Yar’Adua centre in Abuja

The Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security on Thursday disrupted a scheduled press briefing by the African Democratic Congress (ADC) at the Yar’Adua Centre in Abuja, forcing party leaders to relocate their event outdoors.

The ministry, in collaboration with key stakeholders in the oil palm sector, held a session at the same venue where ADC leaders had planned to address journalists on recent developments within the party.

The development came a day after the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) delisted the leadership of the party led by David Mark and Rauf Aregbesola, following a Court of Appeal judgement, a move that has sparked outrage among opposition figures.

Read also: What INEC derecognition of ADC leadership means for the party

Although the ADC briefing was slated for 1pm, the venue was already occupied by participants at the ministry’s event, leaving party officials unable to proceed as planned.

Efforts to commence the briefing at 2pm were also unsuccessful, as the hall remained in use.

Consequently, ADC leaders, were compelled to address newsmen in an open space under trees within the Yar’Adua Centre premises.

Despite the disruption, ADC officials improvised by setting up their press conference outdoors, with party banners mounted beneath the trees as they proceeded with the briefing. The event later commenced by 4pm.

Meanwhile, the ministry’s meeting focused on validating strategies for the implementation of the oil palm value chain.

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar; former presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Peter Obi; former Senate President, David Mark; former Interior Minister, Rauf Aregbesola; former APC national chairman, John Oyegun, were among party leaders at the event.