The management of Amadeo Event Centre in Enugu State has explained the circumstances surrounding the controversy over the use of its facility by the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), insisting that its initial decision to cancel the booking was prompted by an alleged breach of contract.

The company, in a statement issued on Thursday, dismissed allegations that it deliberately denied the opposition party access to the venue, describing the claims as false.

The controversy had sparked political reactions, with Governor Peter Mbah also denying any involvement in the matter. He maintained that Amadeo Event Centre was a privately owned business and that he had no reason to direct its management to prevent an opposition party from holding an event.

How the disagreement started

Recounting the events, the management said the facility was originally booked on October 7 by Sabastine Ezeh, Registrar of the Nigeria Institute of Healthcare Givers and Medical Social Work Practitioners.

According to the company, the booking agreement specified that the venue would be used for a “National Meeting and Conference” scheduled for October 15, 2026.

It said Ezeh requested the cancellation of the booking and a refund on October 13 but later withdrew the request, explaining that the association intended to postpone the meeting rather than cancel it.

The management said the client subsequently confirmed October 29, 2026, as the new date on October 23, with decoration scheduled to begin on October 28.

However, the company alleged that on the morning of October 28, the materials brought to the facility for decoration indicated that the event was intended for a political party rather than the association named in the booking agreement.

“The decoration materials that were brought were for a political party and had nothing to do with the association,” the statement said.

It described the development as a breach of the agreement, adding that Clause 17 of the contract empowered the management to stop any event not conducted in accordance with the agreed terms.

The company said it subsequently notified the client of the cancellation of the right to use the facility.

It further claimed that following the cancellation notice, Enugu State NDC officials and candidates arrived at the premises with security details.

“We were taken aback by the change of the client from the association to an NDC political rally,” the management stated.

Why we eventually allowed the event – Management

Despite the alleged breach of contract, the event centre said it eventually permitted the NDC to use the facility to prevent a possible breakdown of law and order.

According to the statement, the organisers informed the management that the gathering would now be conducted as a youth town hall meeting featuring former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi.

“Despite the contractual violation, we allowed the event to proceed to forestall a breach of peace, after the organisers informed us it would now be used as a youth town hall meeting with Mr Peter Obi,” the company explained.

No directive from Enugu Government – Firm

The management also denied claims that the state government influenced its decision, insisting that the matter was strictly contractual.

It maintained that the facility was non-partisan and had operated a policy of declining bookings for political activities from inception.

The company equally denied inviting the police to prevent the NDC from holding its event.

“We did not request or seek police to deter the event. Rather, the policemen seen in trending videos were escorts for some of the political aspirants who came to the event centre after receiving the notice of cancellation,” it said.

On the alleged involvement of the Enugu State Government, the firm stressed that it received no directive from any government official, either directly or indirectly.

“Management received no instruction, directly or indirectly, from any government official as this was purely a contractual matter,” the statement added.

The company expressed concern that the incident had been given a political interpretation, arguing that the controversy had been distorted by the prevailing political atmosphere.

“This whole event has been distorted and viewed through a partisan perspective because of the current political season,” it stated.