Former Vice-President and Presidential Candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Atiku Abubakar, has alleged that there is a plot to mobilise protesters to disrupt the party's campaign rally in Sokoto State. He made this disclosure at a press briefing in Abuja on Tuesday, expressing concerns over the planned protests. Atiku claimed that the protests were part of an attempt to create disorder and provide grounds for the state government to impose a curfew, thereby preventing the ADC from holding its campaign as scheduled.
Atiku accused the Sokoto State Government of frustrating the party's preparations by blocking access to public facilities and withholding logistical support required for its campaign activities. He described these alleged actions as deliberate attempts to deny the ADC a level playing field ahead of the 2027 general elections. The former vice-president also alleged that the leadership of the Department of State Services was recruiting people to stage protests in Sokoto.
According to Atiku, some of the protesters were assembled at an office behind Zenith Bank on Koko Road, from where trucks were allegedly dispatched to strategic locations, including a roundabout. He claimed that the protesters were causing traffic congestion, threatening commuters, and beating some residents. Atiku described the situation as political interference dressed in official uniform.
Atiku called on security personnel allegedly involved in the mobilisation to stop, insisting that security agencies should protect Nigerians and uphold the law rather than engage in partisan activities. He also accused the administration of President Bola Tinubu of weakening opposition parties and narrowing the space for political competition through what he described as a politics of absorption and intimidation.
The ADC presidential candidate alleged that the government was working towards making Nigeria a one-party state by drawing opposition figures into the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). He stated that the government should focus on addressing the rising cost of living rather than obstructing opposition campaigns. Atiku listed the high costs of food, transportation, fuel, and electricity among the challenges facing Nigerians.
Atiku promised that an ADC-led government would support local production, strengthen food production, create jobs, and reduce the cost of doing business. He proposed a targeted production subsidy tied to fuel refined in Nigeria, saying the policy would provide measurable relief to consumers while strengthening domestic industries. The former vice-president also accused the APC of resorting to intimidation following its poor performance at its recent rally in Kaduna.
Atiku confirmed that he would travel to Sokoto on Wednesday to address supporters, urging residents to remain peaceful and avoid actions that could trigger a security crisis. He called on security agencies to protect commuters, residents, and rally participants without favouritism and ensure that the campaign proceeded without interference. Atiku warned that officers who colluded in suppressing political freedom would be held accountable under the law.
Key points
- Atiku Abubakar alleges plot to disrupt ADC rally in Sokoto
- Sokoto State Government accused of frustrating ADC's preparations
- Atiku promises to address rising cost of living if ADC-led government takes power
