ADC Reschedules Sokoto Presidential Campaign to November 4, Alleges Political Intimidation

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has fixed Wednesday, November 4, for the commencement of its presidential campaign in Sokoto State, insisting that it will proceed with its political activities despite alleged intimidation and attempts to frustrate its mobilisation ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The party announced the new date after postponing its planned October 31 campaign flag-off, citing concerns over security and the possibility of violence.

Director-General of the ADC governorship campaign in Sokoto State, Bello Goronyo, disclosed the new date while addressing journalists at the party’s secretariat in Sokoto on Sunday.

Goronyo alleged that the Sokoto State Government opposed the party’s initial plan to hold the campaign flag-off on October 31 and subsequently pressured hotel operators to cancel reservations made for delegates and supporters.

According to him, some government-owned hotels allegedly declined to accommodate the party’s guests, while private hotel operators were reportedly threatened with the demolition of their properties if they failed to withdraw the bookings.

“We have received reports that hotel operators were threatened with consequences, including the demolition of their properties, if they refused to comply,” Goronyo said.

He described the alleged actions as attempts to restrict opposition activities and undermine democratic participation in the state.

 ADC Alleges Attacks on Members, Supporters

The party also accused government-linked security outfits of involvement in attacks on its members, including an incident involving its governorship candidate, Manir Dan’iya, at the Sultan Abubakar III International Airport on October 30.

Goronyo alleged that vehicles belonging to the candidate were smashed during the incident and that gunshots were fired.

He further claimed that two Department of State Services (DSS) personnel attached to Dan’iya’s security detail were detained during the confrontation.

The ADC called on the police and the DSS to investigate the incident and establish the circumstances surrounding the alleged attack.

Goronyo also alleged that women supporters of the party were attacked during a solidarity march on October 28, leaving some participants injured. Mobile phones were reportedly stolen, while vehicles were damaged.

According to him, the party’s state campaign office was also attacked on the same day, resulting in damage to windows, doors and other property. Three motorcycles were reportedly damaged during the incident.

The opposition party further alleged that personnel of the Sokoto Marshals and Sokoto Community Guards had been instructed to prevent its supporters from entering the state ahead of the presidential campaign.

Condemning the alleged restrictions, the party maintained that citizens had a constitutional right to travel freely within Nigeria, irrespective of their political affiliations.

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

Goronyo urged the Inspector-General of Police and the Director-General of the DSS to investigate the alleged attacks, threats against hotel operators and the reported involvement of state security personnel.

Despite the allegations, he maintained that the party would not abandon its planned campaign activities in Sokoto.

Party Says Postponement Was to Prevent Violence

The decision to reschedule the campaign followed an earlier announcement by the ADC that it had postponed the October 31 flag-off to avert a possible breakdown of law and order.

A party chieftain, Timothy Osadolor, said the postponement was a strategic decision intended to prevent violence and possible loss of lives.

“We had a strategic rethink and rescheduled our presidential campaign flag-off to avoid unnecessary loss of lives,” Osadolor said.

He added that Sokoto would remain the venue for the campaign, urging security agencies to provide adequate protection for participants.

“We will stick with Sokoto, and the onus is on the security agencies to provide security because we have written to notify them of our activities,” he stated.

Osadolor accused the Federal Government under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the Sokoto State Government of creating circumstances that allegedly frustrated the party’s plans. The allegations were presented by the ADC and were not independently verified in the information provided.

He also questioned the reported scheduling of government activities that he claimed could undermine the opposition party’s campaign.

ADC Explains Choice of Sokoto

Osadolor said the decision to hold the campaign in Sokoto was deliberate, citing the state’s political significance and the party’s ambition to strengthen its support in the North-West ahead of the 2027 presidential election.

He argued that the campaign would provide an opportunity for the ADC to demonstrate its acceptance in the region and challenge the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

The party chieftain expressed confidence in the prospects of its presidential candidate, former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, saying the ADC hoped to attract voters seeking an alternative to the current administration.

The ADC’s planned campaign comes amid growing political activity ahead of the 2027 general elections, with the party insisting that its supporters must be allowed to participate freely and that security agencies should ensure a peaceful political environment.