The African Democratic Congress has kept the venue of its presidential campaign rally in Sokoto State secret ahead of Wednesday’s kickoff, citing security concerns amid allegations of attempts to disrupt the event.
The party said it was taking precautionary measures to avoid being caught unawares, following reports of a possible plot to frustrate the rally scheduled for November 4.
The development comes amid heightened political tension in Sokoto, following the sealing of the party’s state office by the state government, allegations of attacks on its supporters and accusations of political interference by the ruling All Progressives Congress.
The ADC’s presidential campaign committee spokesman, Dahiru Maishanu, disclosed in a telephone conversation with our correspondent that the party had secured a venue but was awaiting clearance from its national headquarters before making the location public.
“We have secured a place for the campaign rally, but due to one or two reasons, I may not be able to disclose that for now. If time permits and I get clearance from the national headquarters, you will be briefed,” Maishanu said.
He disclosed that the party had approached the police and the Department of State Services over reports of a plot to disrupt the rally, adding that both security agencies had assured it of adequate protection.
Maishanu also said some party members had arrived in Sokoto ahead of the event despite what he described as restrictions on accommodation for its guests by the state government.
Some of our members are in town already and have secured accommodation anyway,” he said.
On the sealing of the party’s office, Maishanu said its leadership had visited the state police command, where they were informed that the police had no knowledge of the closure.
He added that the police also claimed that no quasi-security agency could independently enforce the closure of a property without police involvement or a court order.
“They assured us that our office is still there for us, so there is no cause for alarm,” he added.
The spokesman for the Sokoto State Police Command, DSP Ahmed Rufai, also confirmed that the command was aware of the rally and had received an official letter from the organisers requesting security coverage.
He said the Commissioner of Police had directed the command to provide adequate security for the event.
“We are ready to provide maximum security for them tomorrow. They wrote to us from the first day they chose, and they even wrote to us when it was postponed.
“We are fully aware of it tomorrow, and the CP has directed the command to do the needful,” Rufai said.
He described political campaigns as a constitutional right, adding that the police would not deny any political party the opportunity to exercise such a right.
“Campaign rally is a constitutional right, and we cannot deny anybody that, so there is no cause for alarm,” he said.
However, Rufai said the command had yet to receive information about the venue but assured that security arrangements would be made.
ADC Sokoto office
Meanwhile, the Sokoto State Government has defended its decision to seal the ADC office, dismissing allegations that the action was intended to frustrate the party’s political activities.
The Commissioner for Lands and Housing, Barrister Nasiru Aliyu Dantsoho, said the government acted following a violent confrontation between Peoples Democratic Party and ADC supporters at the premises and a subsequent security report warning of possible further violence.
He explained that investigations into the ownership of the property showed that its Certificate of Occupancy was still registered in the name of the defunct Savannah Bank.
According to him, the government had approached the Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation for clarification because of its responsibility for managing the assets of failed banks.
Dantsoho said the intervention was necessary to prevent a breakdown of law and order and protect lives and property.
The controversy comes as political parties intensify mobilisation ahead of the 2027 general elections.
On Tuesday, APC youths in Sokoto staged a one-million-man rally in support of President Bola Tinubu and Governor Ahmed Aliyu’s second-term ambitions.
The procession began at the Racecourse in Sokoto metropolis and moved through Emir Yahaya Road, Bello Way and Maiduguri Road before terminating at the Government House gate in a carnival-like display.
‘Campaign will hold
The ADC National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, said all arrangements had been concluded for the campaign flag-off, expressing confidence that the event would proceed without disruption.
