Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has accused the Sokoto State Government and security operatives of plotting to disrupt the African Democratic Congress (ADC) campaign rally in the state, alleging that protesters were being mobilised to create unrest ahead of the event.
Atiku, the ADC presidential candidate, made the allegations at a news conference in Abuja on Tuesday, claiming that the party had been denied access to public facilities and logistical support for its planned rally.
He described the alleged restrictions as a deliberate attempt to disadvantage the opposition and undermine Nigerians’ right to freely choose their leaders.
“These are not harmless administrative delays. They are deliberate attempts to deny the ADC a level playing field,” he said.
The former Vice President also alleged that the Department of State Services (DSS) was recruiting protesters to cause disturbances, potentially creating grounds for the imposition of a curfew and the cancellation of the rally.
He identified an office behind Zenith Bank on Koko Road as one of the locations where the protesters were allegedly assembled.
“We know where some of these protesters are assembled: an office behind Zenith Bank on Koko Road.
“Trucks are stationed there and dispatched to key points, including the roundabout. These mobilised protesters are causing gridlock.
“Commuters are being threatened and, in some cases, beaten. Some of the protesters have moved away from the roundabout to find shade,” he said.
Atiku accused security personnel allegedly involved in the mobilisation of abandoning their professional responsibilities for political interests.
“This is not intelligence work. It is political interference dressed in official uniform. Security agencies exist to protect Nigerians and uphold the law, not to recruit protesters or help a political party manufacture a crisis,” he said.
He called on the officers involved to end the alleged mobilisation and perform their duties without political bias.
Addressing the broader political climate, Atiku accused President Bola Tinubu’s administration of attempting to weaken opposition parties by encouraging their members to defect to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
He described the alleged strategy as a combination of political absorption and intimidation, warning that it could leave Nigeria with little meaningful opposition.
“The aim is to reduce Nigeria to a one-party state in all but name,” he said.
Atiku also criticised the Federal Government’s handling of the economy, citing rising food, transport, fuel and electricity costs as evidence of the financial pressure on households.
He said the ADC would pursue policies aimed at boosting local production, increasing food supply, creating jobs and reducing the cost of doing business if elected in 2027.
Among the party’s proposals, he said, was a targeted production subsidy tied to fuel refined locally, which he argued would ease pressure on consumers while supporting domestic industries.
The ADC candidate further accused the APC of resorting to intimidation following what he described as a disappointing turnout at its most recent rally in Kaduna.
“The more this government tries to silence the people, the clearer it becomes that it has already lost their confidence,” he said.
With the 2027 general elections approaching, Atiku described the contest as a critical test of Nigeria’s democracy, framing it as a choice between the Tinubu administration, which he accused of failing to address citizens’ economic hardship, and those seeking a change in the country’s direction.
Despite the alleged obstacles, he insisted that the ADC would proceed with its campaign activities and confirmed that he would personally attend the Sokoto rally on Wednesday.
“Our campaign will proceed, and I will be in Sokoto tomorrow, God willing, to address the good people of the state,” he said.
He urged residents to shun violence and called on security agencies to protect commuters, residents and supporters attending the rally.
Atiku also warned that any security officer found to have participated in efforts to restrict lawful political activities would be held accountable under the law.
