ADC alleges attacks on members, candidate in Sokoto, petitions IGP, DSS, APC dismisses claims as fabrication
ADC alleges attacks on members, candidate in Sokoto, petitions IGP, DSS, APC dismisses claims as fabrication
From Bashir Rabe Mani in Sokoto
The African Democratic Congress, ADC, and the All Progressives Congress, APC, in Sokoto State have traded words over alleged attacks on ADC members and its governorship candidate, Alhaji Manir Muhammad Dan’iya.
The ADC, at a press conference on Sunday in Sokoto addressed by the Director-General of the Sokoto State ADC Governorship Campaign Organization, Alhaji Bello Aliyu Goronyo, petitioned the Inspector-General of Police and the Director-General of the Department of State Services over what it described as a sustained pattern of violence and intimidation against its members.
The press conference was attended by the governorship candidate, Alhaji Manir Dan’iya, Walin Sokoto, his running mate, Hon. Bello Isa Ambarura, the State Chairman of the ADC, Alhaji Abdullahi Maigwandu, some ADC state lawmakers, party leaders, chieftains and supporters.
Goronya alleged that on Wednesday, October 28, 2026, ADC women supporters were attacked during a peaceful solidarity march, with participants injured, their phones snatched and three motorcycles destroyed, while on the same day the party’s State Campaign Office was attacked, with property damaged or stolen and billboards destroyed across the state.
He further alleged that on Friday, October 30, 2026, the governorship candidate was attacked at the Sultan Sadiq Abubakar International Airport, Sokoto, where his vehicles were smashed and gunshots were reportedly fired, and that two DSS personnel attached to him were detained by operatives of state-owned security outfits, including the Sokoto Marshals and Sokoto Community Guards.
The ADC also alleged that hotel operators were threatened with demolition if they hosted its members and that its supporters were being prevented from entering the state ahead of its presidential campaign flag-off now rescheduled for November 4, 2026. It listed eight demands including independent investigation into the incidents, prosecution of perpetrators and protection for its candidates and supporters.
But in a swift reaction, the All Progressives Congress in Sokoto State has dismissed the allegations as fabrication aimed at attracting public sympathy.
The APC Chairman in the state, Alhaji Haruna Adiya, described the claims as part of a propaganda campaign to distract the public from what he said were the ADC’s political challenges.
“Initially, they alleged that our supporters attacked their women. Now, they have come up with another allegation that their governorship candidate was attacked on his way back from the airport after their late-night visit to former Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal.
“They further claimed that security operatives seized vehicles belonging to DSS personnel. Anyone familiar with the operations of security agencies would recognise how implausible such an allegation sounds,” Adiya queried.
He also faulted what he described as inconsistencies in the ADC’s account, noting that while the party’s media aide claimed security operatives were deployed to prevent Dan’iya from entering Sokoto metropolis, the candidate’s own statement indicated he had visited different locations in the city to pay condolence visits.
Adiya said Sokoto was preparing to host a major traditional title conferment ceremony scheduled for Sunday, which was expected to attract prominent personalities from across the country, and that the security arrangements were necessary to protect residents and visitors.
He maintained that Governor Ahmed Aliyu, who is currently in Saudi Arabia alongside President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and six other governors to perform Umrah, remains committed to peace and political tolerance and has consistently advised APC supporters against activities capable of creating tension.
“The governor is a peace-loving leader. This is why ADC members have continued to carry out their political activities without interference or intimidation from our supporters,” he added.
Adiya urged the ADC to address its internal challenges rather than drag the APC and the state government into its affairs, stressing that political competition should be based on ideas, policies and development plans.
The spokesperson of the Sokoto State Police Command, DSP Ahmed Rufai, had also vowed that thorough investigations into the allegations, vowing the prosecution of anyone who may be indicted.
