Sokoto 2027: ADC Dares Govt Over Campaign Flag-off, Alleges Intimidation

The African Democratic Congress (ADC), Sokoto State chapter, has dared the Sokoto State Government over its presidential campaign flag-off scheduled for November 4, vowing that no threat or intimidation will stop the exercise.

The party alleged a sustained pattern of attacks on its members, including gunshots at the airport, assault on women supporters and vandalisation of its campaign office.

Addressing a press conference at the party headquarters in Sokoto on Sunday, the state chairman, Alhaji Bello Muhammad Goronyo, said the party would remain peaceful and law-abiding but would not surrender its constitutional right to organise political activities.

He called on the Nigeria Police Force, the Department of State Services (DSS) and the state government to investigate the attacks, including the assault on its governorship candidate on October 30.

“We demand protection for our candidate and supporters, accountability for those responsible, and an end to any use of state-backed security outfits to restrict lawful political activity,” he said.

Goronyo said the ADC had formally notified the state government of its decision to flag off its presidential campaign in Sokoto, initially slated for October 31, but the government replied expressing disagreement.

“The government replied by stating its disagreement with the flag-off. That reply raises serious concern about the government’s commitment to political pluralism, freedom of association and the right of opposition parties to hold lawful political activities,” he said.

He alleged that the attacks were not isolated but a sustained pattern, which he linked to the release from prison of two men associated with political thuggery, reportedly by the state government.

The party identified one Aliyu K.C. and his associates as being connected to the attacks.

“On Wednesday, October 28, 2026, our women were attacked during a peaceful solidarity march. Participants were injured, their mobile phones were snatched, their clothing was torn, and their vehicles and other property were vandalised,” he said.

He said on the same day, the ADC state campaign office was attacked, with windows and doors smashed, property looted and three motorcycles destroyed, while billboards, posters and other campaign materials were destroyed across the state.

Goronyo further alleged that hotels booked for the flag-off cancelled reservations under pressure from the state government, while government-owned hotels claimed they were fully booked.

“Government-owned hotels reportedly stopped accepting guests on the claim that their rooms were fully booked. We have received reports that hotel operators were threatened with consequences, including the demolition of their properties, if they refused to comply.

“We are seeking written confirmation of these reports. If established, they would represent a serious abuse of public authority,” he said.

He demanded an explanation on the release of the suspects.

“Who authorised their release, under what legal process, and what safeguards were put in place? Release from prison must never be treated as a licence to intimidate citizens, and political connections must not place anyone beyond accountability,” he asked.

Goronyo said the party’s governorship candidate, Manir Muhammad Dan’iya (Walin Sokoto), was attacked at the Sultan Abubakar III International Airport, Sokoto, on Friday, by personnel of the Sokoto Marshals and Sokoto Community Guards.

He said his vehicles were smashed and gunshots were fired, while two DSS personnel attached to the candidate were reportedly detained.

“The authorities must establish who authorised the operation, what instructions were issued, who discharged firearms and under what authority, and why DSS officers assigned to a political candidate were detained by state security personnel.

“Responsibility must not stop at the personnel at the scene: anyone who authorised, directed, sponsored or facilitated unlawful conduct must also be investigated,” he said.

He said the party had also received reports that personnel of the two state-owned security outfits had been instructed to prevent ADC supporters from entering Sokoto ahead of the flag-off.

“We consider this allegation extremely serious. If confirmed, the instruction would violate the constitutional rights of citizens to freedom of movement, peaceful assembly and political association.

“No governor, political party or security commander has the authority to restrict citizens from entering a state because of their political affiliation,” he said.

He said residents were entitled to question the state’s security priorities when communities still face banditry and kidnapping.

“The ADC is a peaceful political party committed to democratic principles, political tolerance, constitutional freedoms and the rule of law. Our commitment to peace must never be mistaken for weakness or surrender of our constitutional rights.

“We will not be intimidated, silenced or forced out of the democratic space through violence, threats or politically motivated harassment,” he declared.

He called for a thorough investigation into the gunshots, destruction of vehicles, detention of DSS personnel, alleged involvement of Aliyu K.C. and his associates, threat to hotel operators and denial of venue, as well as protection for ADC candidates, leaders and supporters.

He also urged all state-owned security outfits to remain politically neutral and not be deployed for partisan activities.