The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has fixed Wednesday, November 4, for the launch of its presidential campaign in Sokoto State after shifting the event from its original date.
The opposition platform said it would go ahead with its political programme despite alleged attempts to frustrate its activities and discourage members from taking part in preparations for the 2027 general elections.
The Director-General of the ADC governorship campaign in Sokoto, Bello Goronyo, announced the revised schedule on Sunday while speaking with reporters at the party’s state headquarters.
Goronyo accused the Sokoto State Government of interfering with the party’s earlier arrangement to commence its presidential campaign on October 31. He claimed that authorities subsequently exerted pressure on hotel proprietors to cancel accommodation arrangements already secured for party delegates and other supporters.
He further alleged that some establishments owned by the state government declined to receive ADC guests, while operators of privately owned hotels were warned that their buildings could face demolition if they honoured reservations made by the opposition party.
According to Goronyo, the reported threats were intended to make accommodation difficult for individuals travelling to Sokoto to attend the campaign event.
The ADC official argued that the alleged conduct amounted to an attempt to frustrate political opposition and prevent citizens from freely participating in democratic activities.
He also accused security formations allegedly connected to the state government of targeting party members. Among the incidents he mentioned was an attack involving the ADC governorship candidate, Manir Dan’iya, at Sultan Abubakar III International Airport on October 30.
Goronyo claimed that vehicles belonging to the candidate were vandalised during the confrontation, with gunshots allegedly discharged at the scene. He additionally alleged that two operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) assigned to Dan’iya’s security team were taken into custody.
The party subsequently urged the Nigeria Police Force and the DSS leadership to conduct an investigation and determine what transpired during the incident.
The campaign director also recalled an alleged assault on female ADC supporters during a solidarity procession held on October 28. He claimed that several participants sustained injuries, while some mobile phones disappeared and vehicles were vandalised.
He added that the party’s campaign headquarters in the state was equally targeted that day, resulting in damage to doors, windows and other facilities. Three motorcycles were also reportedly affected.
Furthermore, the ADC alleged that operatives of the Sokoto Marshals and Community Guards had received instructions to stop its supporters from travelling into the state for the campaign.
Rejecting the alleged directive, the party maintained that every Nigerian was entitled to move freely across the country without discrimination based on political allegiance.
Goronyo appealed to the Inspector-General of Police and the DSS Director-General to examine the reported violence, intimidation of hospitality businesses and alleged involvement of state-backed security formations.
He, however, reaffirmed that the reported challenges would not force the party to withdraw from its planned political engagement in Sokoto.
The latest development comes after the ADC initially postponed its October 31 campaign inauguration, explaining that the decision was necessary to avert possible violence and maintain public order.
Following the announcement, party stalwart Timothy Osadolor maintained that Sokoto would remain the location for the presidential campaign despite the change in schedule.
Speaking during an interview, Osadolor explained that the postponement was a precautionary measure designed to prevent clashes and avoid possible casualties.
