The African Democratic Congress Presidential Campaign Council (ADC-PCC) has strongly condemned an attack on its Sokoto State governorship candidate, Alhaji Munir Dan Iya. The attack allegedly occurred yesterday along Airport Road, Sokoto, as Dan Iya was returning to the city after accompanying former Governor of Sokoto State, Senator Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, from the airport. Several vehicles in Dan Iya's convoy were vandalised and extensively damaged by armed operatives of the Sokoto Marshals, a state-owned security outfit.
According to the ADC-PCC, the attack is part of a disturbing pattern of political intimidation and violence against ADC members and opposition figures across Nigeria. The party's Director, Media and Publicity, Mr Kola Ologbondiyan, stated that the council is particularly alarmed by the transformation of a security outfit into a political militia for intimidating, harassing, and attacking perceived political opponents. This conduct is seen as a grave violation of democratic principles and constitutional guarantees of freedom of movement, association, and peaceful political participation.
The ADC-PCC reported that two Department of State Services (DSS) personnel attached to Dan Iya were abducted by the Sokoto Marshals during the attack. Dan Iya formally reported the incident to the Sokoto State Commissioner of Police, adding that his personal SUV was also vandalised. The party described the attack as "reprehensible," "provocative," and "unacceptable," representing a "dangerous descent into state-sponsored thuggery."
The ADC-PCC spokesman, Ologbondiyan, stated that the party will no longer tolerate such attacks and intimidation. He emphasized that while the ADC remains committed to peaceful political engagement and the rule of law, it is fully prepared to defend its members and protect their constitutional rights through every legitimate means available. The party demands the arrest of those responsible for the attack.
The incident has raised concerns about the growing assault on democratic freedom in Nigeria. Sokoto has become the latest theatre of this growing trend, following similar incidents in Kaduna and other states. The ADC-PCC urged that this coordinated harassment and attacks against the ADC and other opposition voices must be stopped.
The party's reaction indicates a determination to protect its members and structures from further attacks. The ADC-PCC's statement emphasized that the era of taking the party for granted, threatening its members, and attacking its political structures with impunity is over. The party is calling for an end to such attacks and for those responsible to be brought to justice.
The ADC Presidential Campaign Council is demanding that the authorities take immediate action to address the situation. The party's leadership is expected to continue to monitor the situation and take necessary steps to ensure the safety and security of its members and candidates. The incident has sparked widespread condemnation of the attack on democratic freedom and the intimidation of opposition figures.
Key points
- The ADC Presidential Campaign Council demands the arrest of attackers of Sokoto governorship candidate, Alhaji Munir Dan Iya.
- The attack is part of a disturbing pattern of political intimidation and violence against ADC members and opposition figures across Nigeria.
- The ADC remains committed to peaceful political engagement and the rule of law but is prepared to defend its members and protect their constitutional rights.
