Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, the Presidential Candidate of the African Democratic Congress and former Vice President, has raised concerns over alleged plans by the ruling All Progressives Congress administration in Sokoto State to frustrate the campaign activities of the African Democratic Congress. At a press conference in Abuja, Atiku claimed that the APC is blocking public facilities for legitimate campaign activities and withholding logistical support from the ADC.
According to Atiku, the leadership of the Department of State Services is recruiting people to stage protests in Sokoto, aiming to create disorder and give the APC-controlled state government a pretext to impose a curfew. He stated that the recruited protesters are causing gridlock, threatening commuters, and beating some individuals. Atiku described this as political interference dressed in official uniform and called on security agencies to stop immediately and return to their constitutional duty of impartial service.
Atiku accused the Tinubu administration of focusing too much energy on weakening credible opposition and too little on solving the problems facing Nigerians. He stated that the government has pursued a politics of absorption and intimidation, drawing former opposition figures into the APC and narrowing the space for political competition. Atiku claimed that the aim is to reduce Nigeria to a one-party state in all but name.
The former Vice President accused the government of unleashing a crushing cost of living crisis and attempting to frustrate Nigerians' democratic right to choose a different path. He stated that food, transport, fuel, electricity, and other essentials have become unaffordable for millions, with families struggling to feed their children, pay school fees, and keep their businesses alive. Atiku promised to make life affordable again by supporting local production, strengthening food production, creating jobs, and reducing the cost of doing business.
Atiku outlined his plans to pursue a targeted production subsidy tied to fuel refined in Nigeria, aiming to bring measurable relief to consumers while strengthening domestic industry. He stated that Nigerians deserve policies that put food on the table, restore opportunity, and make daily life manageable again. Atiku expressed confidence that the ADC will resist every gimmick, administrative roadblock, and underhand maneuver designed to exclude the opposition or impose a one-party reality on Nigeria.
The 2027 general election will be a defining moment in Nigeria's democratic history, according to Atiku, as it will be a choice between a government that has shown indifference to people's suffering and Nigerians who have endured enough and want their votes to count. He assured Nigerians of the level of preparedness of his party, stating that the ADC will proceed with its campaign, and he will be in Sokoto to address the good people of the state.
Atiku called on the people of Sokoto to remain calm and peaceful, urging them not to allow anyone to provoke them or turn a political gathering into a security crisis. He also urged the security agencies to protect commuters, residents, and rally participants without favor, ensuring that the ADC rally can hold peacefully and without interference. Atiku concluded by giving his word that he will lead the campaign and not abandon the field, confronting every attempt to restrict democratic participation with firmness, organization, and faith in the Nigerian people.
Key points
- Atiku Abubakar warns of alleged APC plans to orchestrate protests and declare curfew to hinder ADC campaign activities in Sokoto State.
- Atiku accuses Tinubu administration of focusing on weakening opposition and neglecting Nigerians' problems.
- Atiku outlines plans to make life affordable again, including supporting local production and strengthening food production.
