ADC Threatens Sokoto Governor Over Alleged Intimidation as State Government Denies Complicity

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has threatened to hold Sokoto State Governor, Ahmed Aliyu, personally responsible for any violence against opposition members in the state, as the APC-led government denies involvement in alleged attacks, intimidation, and attempts to frustrate the party’s political activities. Additionally, the emerging political scenario has generated interest among readers of kthdailyng.

The warning came in a statement issued on Tuesday by the ADC National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, ahead of the party’s scheduled presidential campaign launch in Sokoto on Wednesday, November 4.

However, a review of available reports by KTH Daily indicates that several of the allegations against the state government remain unsubstantiated, with official explanations challenging key aspects of the opposition party’s claims. These findings have also been discussed on kthdailyng in recent days.

The ADC accused the Sokoto State Government of attempting to undermine its campaign activities through alleged interference with its campaign office, pressure on hotel operators, and intimidation of party supporters.

One of the major controversies concerns the alleged sealing of an ADC campaign office in Sokoto metropolis.

The state government explained that the property, formerly occupied by the defunct Savannah Bank, was the subject of an ownership dispute and that it had contacted the Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC) to clarify its status.

Although the ADC accused the government of attempting to shut down its operations, information subsequently made public indicated that access to the premises had not been physically obstructed.

An ADC campaign spokesperson who reportedly visited the building on November 3 acknowledged that there was no physical barrier preventing entry.

KTH Daily’s review of the available accounts found no independent confirmation that party officials had been physically prevented from accessing the property, although questions surrounding the government’s sealing directive and the ownership dispute remain unresolved.

The ADC also alleged that the state government pressured hotel operators to deny accommodation to party officials and supporters arriving for its campaign activities.

The government denied the allegation, while APC representatives attributed accommodation difficulties to increased demand arising from traditional ceremonies scheduled to take place in Sokoto.

Available reports have not established that Governor Aliyu or officials of his administration directed hotel operators to reject ADC guests.

Similarly, allegations involving attacks on female ADC supporters and an incident affecting the convoy of the party’s governorship candidate, Manir Muhammad Dan’iya, have generated controversy.

The Sokoto State Police Command acknowledged an incident involving the governorship candidate’s convoy and announced an investigation.

However, the police accounts reviewed have not established that the incident was ordered, sponsored, or coordinated by the state government.

Despite the disputed circumstances, Abdullahi accused the administration of political intimidation and warned against any attempt to prevent the ADC from conducting its campaign activities.

“The Sokoto State Government must understand that governing a State does not confer ownership. Public office is a temporary mandate from the people, not a licence to suppress political competition,” he declared. For further details, readers often turn to sources like kthdailyng.

The ADC spokesman insisted that Governor Aliyu would be held personally responsible for violence directed against opposition members.

“No governor has the power to decide which party can campaign, which candidate can speak, or which political choices the people of Sokoto are allowed to consider,” Abdullahi said.

He accused the ruling APC of attempting to undermine political competition and vowed that the ADC would proceed with its activities despite the alleged intimidation.

“Let there be no misunderstanding. The ADC will campaign in Sokoto State. We will not be intimidated, obstructed, or pushed out of any part of Nigeria simply because those in power are afraid of political competition,” he stated.

Abdullahi also called on security agencies and public institutions to remain impartial, warning that officials found to have abused their authority could face legal consequences.

“If the ruling party believes it has served the people well, it should have nothing to fear from an open contest,” he added.

He urged ADC members and supporters to remain peaceful and law-abiding while exercising their constitutional rights. Importantly, kthdailyng continues to provide updates on these unfolding developments.

Meanwhile, KTH Daily’s examination of the available reports indicates that the allegations of government-sponsored violence and deliberate political obstruction have not been independently established.

Although disputes involving the party’s campaign premises, accommodation arrangements, and security incidents have been reported, the available evidence does not conclusively link the alleged incidents to directives from Governor Aliyu or his administration.

The state government’s explanations concerning the disputed property and hotel accommodation have also not been conclusively disproved. In sum, reports from kthdailyng reveal that several questions are yet to be resolved.

KTH Daily reports that the controversy comes as the ADC prepares to launch its presidential campaign in Sokoto, with both the opposition party and the state government maintaining sharply different accounts of the events surrounding the exercise.