The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has reaffirmed that its presidential campaign flag-off in Sokoto State will hold on Wednesday, November 4, despite allegations of attacks on its members, intimidation of supporters and attempts to frustrate the event.

The party said it would proceed with the rally despite the challenges, insisting that political parties and their supporters have a constitutional right to organise peaceful political activities.

The Director-General of the ADC Governorship Campaign Council in Sokoto State, Bello Aliyu Goronyo, announced the party’s position while addressing journalists at its secretariat in Sokoto on Sunday, November 1.

Goronyo accused the state government of attempting to frustrate the party’s preparations for the rally, initially scheduled for October 31, by allegedly putting pressure on hotel operators to cancel accommodation arrangements made for delegates and supporters.

He claimed that some government-owned hotels refused to accommodate the party’s guests, while private hotel operators were allegedly threatened with consequences, including the demolition of their properties, if they failed to withdraw existing reservations.

“We have received reports that hotel operators were threatened with consequences, including the demolition of their properties, if they refused to comply,” he said.

The ADC campaign director described the alleged actions as an attempt to restrict opposition activities and undermine political participation in the state.

The party also accused government-linked security outfits of involvement in attacks on its members, including an incident involving its governorship candidate, Manir Muhammad Dan’iya, near the Sultan Abubakar III International Airport on October 30.

Dan’iya had reportedly escorted former Sokoto State Governor and Senator, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, to the airport when a confrontation occurred involving personnel of the Sokoto Marshal and the state Community Guard.

The ADC candidate alleged that the security personnel blocked his convoy, gunshots were fired and some of his vehicles were damaged. He also claimed that two DSS operatives attached to his security detail were detained.

The Sokoto State Police Command confirmed receiving a report about the incident and said it had commenced an investigation. The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), however, disputed the ADC’s account, describing the allegations as fabricated.

Goronyo called on the Inspector-General of Police and the Director-General of the DSS to investigate the incident and establish the circumstances surrounding the reported confrontation.

He further alleged that ADC women supporters were attacked during a solidarity march on October 28, leaving some injured and resulting in the loss of mobile phones and damage to vehicles.

According to him, the party’s state campaign office was also attacked on the same day, with windows, doors and other property damaged, while three motorcycles were destroyed.

The party additionally alleged that personnel of the Sokoto Marshal and Sokoto Community Guards had been instructed to prevent its supporters from entering the state ahead of the campaign.

“No governor, political party or security commander has the authority to restrict citizens from entering a state because of their political affiliation,” the party said.

Goronyo urged security agencies to investigate the reported incidents and ensure that political supporters could participate in lawful activities without intimidation.

The dispute over hotel accommodation has also drawn a response from the ruling APC in Sokoto.

The state government had earlier denied allegations that it directed hotels to reject ADC delegates, while the APC said the hotel reservations were made to accommodate dignitaries expected to attend a traditional title ceremony.

The ADC had initially announced the postponement of its October 31 campaign flag-off, attributing the decision to planning and coordination considerations. The new date was subsequently fixed for November 4.

Earlier, ADC chieftain Timothy Osadolor said the party had no intention of changing Sokoto as the venue, describing the postponement as a strategic decision to avoid a possible breakdown of law and order.

He maintained that the responsibility for providing security rested with the relevant authorities, adding that the party had formally notified security agencies about its planned activities.

Osadolor also accused the Federal Government and the Sokoto State Government of creating difficulties for the opposition party, although the allegations were not independently established.

The ADC’s decision to retain Sokoto as the venue means the party intends to proceed with its campaign flag-off amid the ongoing disagreement with the state government and the APC.

As of the time of reporting, the party had maintained its November 4 date, while investigations into the reported airport incident and the other allegations remained ongoing.