The African Democratic Congress (ADC), Sokoto State chapter, has dared the Sokoto State Government over its presidential marketing campaign flag-off scheduled for November 4, vowing that no menace or intimidation will cease the train.
The social gathering alleged a sustained sample of assaults on its members, together with gunshots on the airport, assault on ladies supporters and vandalisation of its marketing campaign workplace.
Addressing a press convention on the social gathering headquarters in Sokoto on Sunday, the state chairman, Alhaji Bello Muhammad Goronyo, mentioned the social gathering would stay peaceable and law-abiding however wouldn’t give up its constitutional proper to organise political actions.
He referred to as on the Nigeria Police Force, the Department of State Services (DSS) and the state authorities to analyze the assaults, together with 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 mentioned.
Goronyo mentioned the ADC had formally notified the state authorities of its resolution to flag off its presidential marketing campaign in Sokoto, initially slated for October 31, however the authorities 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 mentioned.
He alleged that the assaults weren’t remoted however a sustained sample, which he linked to the discharge from jail of two males related to political thuggery, reportedly by the state authorities.
The social gathering recognized one Aliyu Ok.C. and his associates as being related to the assaults.
“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 mentioned.
He mentioned on the identical day, the ADC state marketing campaign workplace was attacked, with home windows and doorways smashed, property looted and three bikes destroyed, whereas billboards, posters and different marketing campaign supplies have been destroyed throughout the state.
Goronyo additional alleged that resorts booked for the flag-off cancelled reservations underneath strain from the state authorities, whereas government-owned resorts claimed they have been absolutely booked.
“Government-owned resorts reportedly stopped accepting company on the declare that their rooms have been absolutely booked. We have obtained stories that lodge operators have been threatened with penalties, together with the demolition of their properties, in the event that they refused to conform.
“We are seeking written confirmation of these reports. If established, they would represent a serious abuse of public authority,” he mentioned.
He demanded a proof on the discharge 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 requested.
Goronyo mentioned the social gathering’s governorship candidate, Manir Muhammad Dan’iya (Walin Sokoto), was attacked on the Sultan Abubakar III International Airport, Sokoto, on Friday, by personnel of the Sokoto Marshals and Sokoto Community Guards.
He mentioned his automobiles have been smashed and gunshots have been fired, whereas two DSS personnel hooked up to the candidate have been reportedly detained.
“The authorities should set up who authorised the operation, what directions have been issued, who discharged firearms and underneath what authority, and why DSS officers assigned to a politician have been detained by state safety 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 mentioned.
He mentioned the social gathering had additionally obtained stories that personnel of the 2 state-owned safety outfits had been instructed to forestall ADC supporters from coming into Sokoto forward of the flag-off.
“We take into account this allegation extraordinarily severe. If confirmed, the instruction would violate the constitutional rights of residents to freedom of motion, peaceable meeting and political affiliation.
“No governor, political party or security commander has the authority to restrict citizens from entering a state because of their political affiliation,” he mentioned.
He mentioned residents have been entitled to query the state’s safety priorities when communities nonetheless face banditry and kidnapping.
“The ADC is a peaceable political social gathering dedicated to democratic ideas, political tolerance, constitutional freedoms and the rule of regulation. Our dedication to peace must not ever be mistaken for weak point or give up 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 referred to as for an intensive investigation into the gunshots, destruction of automobiles, detention of DSS personnel, alleged involvement of Aliyu Ok.C. and his associates, menace to lodge operators and denial of venue, in addition to safety for ADC candidates, leaders and supporters.
He additionally urged all state-owned safety outfits to stay politically impartial and never be deployed for partisan actions.
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