Campaign Flag-off: ADC vows to resist intimidation

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has announced that its presidential flag-off campaign will occur in Sokoto State on November 4, 2026. The party has issued a strong stance against any attempts to intimidate candidates, party members or offices. The ADC firmly asserts that it will exercise its constitutional right to conduct political activities and campaign, regardless of any threats, intimidation, or unlawful obstacles.

The recent dispute erupted when the ADC accused members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) of attacking women participating in a party rally, causing injuries and theft of mobile phones. The ADC also alleged that the APC-led state government had reserved all available hotel rooms in the state to prevent the ADC from hosting its presidential campaign flag-off.

Furthermore, the party accused Sokoto Marshall and Community Guards of attacking their gubernatorial candidate, Manir Muhammad Dan'iya, while he was returning from the airport following a visit to Senator Aminu Waziri Tambuwal. This incident resulted in damage to the windscreen of one of Dan'iya's convoy vehicles.

In response to these allegations, Bello Muhammad Goronyo, the Director General of the Governorship Campaign Council, called for a thorough investigation into the reported attacks on Dan'iya, ADC members, and its office. Goronyo urged security personnel to maintain professionalism and impartiality while ensuring a secure environment for all political parties to carry out their activities.

The ADC has vowed to proceed with its flag-off campaign and reiterated that no threats or hindrances will prevent the party from exercising its constitutional rights to organize political activities and campaign. The party has also urged its supporters to remain calm, peaceful, and law-abiding.

The All Progressive Congress (APC) in Sokoto has dismissed the ADC's accusations of intimidation, labeling them as fabricated claims designed to garner public sympathy and divert attention from the ADC's political challenges. APC Chairman Alhaji Haruna Adiya attributed the allegations to a propaganda campaign against the state government, questioning the inconsistencies in the ADC's account of the incident.

Adiya also dismissed claims that security personnel were deployed to restrict ADC members from entering the state, explaining that the deployment was necessary to protect residents and visitors attending a major traditional title conferment ceremony. Adiya urged the opposition party to address its internal issues rather than blame the APC and the state government for its political difficulties.