The Action Democratic Congress (ADC) party in Nigeria has raised concerns about the increasing threats of violence against opposition parties in Sokoto state, ahead of the 2027 elections. On October 30, 2026, an attack was carried out on the convoy of the party's governorship candidate, Manir Muhammad Dan'iya, near the Sultan Abubakar III Airport. The party's Director of Publicity, Hon. Muhammad Bello Goronyo, disclosed this at a press conference, stating that the attack occurred shortly after Dan'iya accompanied former Governor and Senator Aminu Waziri Tambuwal to the airport for his return to Abuja.
According to the ADC party, the attack involved gunfire, and some vehicles in the convoy were damaged. The party accused the Sokoto State Marshal and the Department of State Services (DSS) of being involved in the attack, claiming that two DSS officials were arrested. The ADC has demanded an independent investigation by the police, DSS, and the Sokoto State Government to identify the perpetrators and determine if there were any instructions from high-ranking government or security officials.
The ADC party also linked the attack to previous incidents, including an alleged attack on its members during a campaign rally on October 28, which resulted in injuries and damage to property. The party claimed that its campaign office was also attacked, with motorcycles and campaign materials destroyed, and billboards vandalized in some parts of the state. Furthermore, the party alleged that some hotels were pressured to cancel bookings for its events.
The ADC has called on the Inspector-General of Police, the DSS Director, and other relevant agencies to investigate the allegations, protect politicians and their supporters, and prosecute those found guilty. The party emphasized that security agencies should remain independent of politics and not be used to intimidate opposition parties. Despite the attack, the ADC stated that it would proceed with its presidential campaign launch on November 4, 2026, as scheduled.
The party urged its supporters to remain calm and avoid taking the law into their own hands, instead seeking justice through legal means. In response, the Sokoto State Police Command confirmed that it had received a report of the attack but did not provide a detailed response. The ADC's concerns about the increasing threats of violence against opposition parties in Sokoto state have sparked fears of a potential crisis.
The ADC party's governorship candidate, Manir Muhammad Dan'iya, also known as the Walin Sokoto, was unharmed in the attack. The party's demand for an independent investigation has sparked a heated debate about the role of security agencies in the country's electoral process. The incident has raised concerns about the safety of politicians and their supporters in Sokoto state.
The ADC party's allegations of a plot to intimidate opposition parties have sparked fears of a potential crisis in Sokoto state. The party's resolve to proceed with its campaign activities despite the attack has been seen as a show of defiance. The incident has highlighted the need for security agencies to remain impartial and ensure the safety of all politicians and their supporters.
Key points
- The ADC party has accused the Sokoto State Marshal and the DSS of being involved in the attack on its governorship candidate's convoy.
- The party has demanded an independent investigation into the attack and the identification of the perpetrators.
- The incident has sparked fears of a potential crisis in Sokoto state, ahead of the 2027 elections.
