The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has fixed Wednesday, November 4, for the commencement of its presidential campaign in Sokoto State, following the postponement of its earlier scheduled rally amid allegations of political intimidation and attacks on party members.

The opposition party said it remained committed to holding the event in Sokoto despite what it described as efforts by the state government and security operatives to disrupt its political activities ahead of the 2027 general elections.

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

Goronyo accused the state government of working against the party’s initial plan to hold the campaign flag-off on October 31, 2026. He alleged that hotel owners were pressured to cancel accommodation arrangements made for party delegates and supporters.

According to him, some government-owned hotels refused to host the party’s guests, while private hotel operators were allegedly threatened with the demolition of their properties if they honoured the reservations.

He said the alleged actions were intended to make it difficult for the opposition party to organise its activities in the state.

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

He claimed that vehicles belonging to the candidate were vandalised and gunshots fired during the incident. Two Department of State Services (DSS) operatives attached to the candidate’s security team were also allegedly detained.

The campaign director further alleged that ADC women supporters were assaulted during a solidarity march on October 28, with some sustaining injuries, losing their mobile phones and having their vehicles damaged.

He added that the party’s state campaign office was attacked on the same day, resulting in damage to its doors, windows and other property, while three motorcycles were destroyed.

The party also accused personnel of the Sokoto Marshals and Sokoto Community Guards of receiving instructions to prevent its supporters from entering the state ahead of the rally.

Reacting to the allegations, the ADC called on the Inspector-General of Police and the Director-General of the DSS to investigate the reported incidents, including the alleged threats against hotel operators and the involvement of state security personnel.

It maintained that political affiliation should not be used as a basis to deny Nigerians access to any state, insisting that it would not abandon its campaign plans.

However, the Sokoto State Government had earlier dismissed claims that it instructed hotels to turn away ADC delegates. The state chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) also said the hotel reservations in question were intended for dignitaries attending a traditional title ceremony.

Meanwhile, ADC chieftain Timothy Osadolor had earlier confirmed that the party would retain Sokoto as the venue for its presidential campaign launch, despite moving the event from its original October 31 date.

In an interview with The PUNCH, Osadolor explained that the postponement was a precautionary measure aimed at preventing violence and possible loss of lives. He added that the party had formally notified security agencies of its planned activities and expected them to provide adequate protection.

Osadolor also accused the Federal Government and the Sokoto State Government of creating obstacles for the opposition party, questioning the circumstances surrounding activities allegedly scheduled by the state government to coincide with the ADC rally.

He said Sokoto was deliberately selected because of its political importance in the North-West and the party’s intention to establish a strong presence in the region ahead of the 2027 elections.

The ADC chieftain further expressed confidence in the party’s presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, saying the party expected to receive support from voters in the region.

Meanwhile, efforts to obtain an official response from the ADC Presidential Campaign Council on the revised date were unsuccessful. Its Director of Media and Publicity, Kola Ologbondiyan, reportedly promised to provide clarification but had yet to respond as of the time the report was filed.

Source: The PUNCH News