Former Vice-President and African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar has alleged a plan to mobilise protesters to disrupt the party’s campaign rally in Sokoto State. He claims this is an attempt to create disorder, allowing the state government to impose a curfew and prevent the ADC from proceeding with its scheduled campaign.
At a press conference in Abuja, Atiku accused the Sokoto State Government of hindering the ADC’s preparations by blocking access to public facilities and withholding necessary logistical support. He described these actions as a deliberate effort to undermine the ADC’s chances ahead of the 2027 general elections.
“More disturbing still, we have information that the Department of State Services is recruiting individuals to stage protests in Sokoto,” Atiku stated. He alleged that some protesters were gathering at an office near Zenith Bank on Koko Road, from which trucks were dispatched to various strategic locations, causing traffic congestion and threatening residents.
“This is not intelligence work but political interference dressed in official uniform,” he added. Atiku called for security personnel involved in these actions to cease, stressing that their duty is to protect the public and uphold the law, not engage in partisan activities.
He further accused President Bola Tinubu’s administration of diminishing opposition parties and narrowing political competition through tactics he referred to as absorption and intimidation. Atiku claimed the government is attempting to turn Nigeria into a one-party state by integrating opposition members into the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
The ADC candidate urged the government to focus on pressing issues such as the rising cost of living. He highlighted that many families are struggling with inflated prices of food, transport, fuel, and electricity.
Atiku promised that an ADC-led government would invest in local production, boost food supplies, create jobs, and lower the cost of doing business. He proposed a targeted production subsidy linked to domestically refined fuel to alleviate consumer costs while bolstering local industries.
He claimed that the APC is resorting to intimidation following what he termed its poor turnout at a recent rally in Kaduna but insisted that such actions would not impede the ADC’s campaign. “The ADC will resist every gimmick designed to exclude the opposition or impose a one-party reality on Nigeria,” he said.
Atiku confirmed he will travel to Sokoto on Wednesday to engage supporters, urging residents to remain peaceful and to avoid any actions that could escalate into a security crisis. He called on security agencies to protect all citizens and ensure the campaign proceeds without interference.
He vowed that officers who aid in suppressing political freedom would face legal consequences, while those who uphold democratic values would receive support. “The 2027 general election will be a defining moment in our democratic history. It is not merely a contest between parties; it represents a choice between indifference to people’s suffering and a desire for votes to count,” he concluded.
