Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has accused the Department of State Services (DSS) of recruiting protesters and working with other security outfits to disrupt the African Democratic Congress (ADC) campaign rally in Sokoto State.
Atiku, who is the ADC presidential candidate for the 2027 general election, made the allegation on Tuesday, November 3, 2026, while addressing journalists at a press conference in Abuja.
He alleged that the DSS leadership was mobilising people to stage protests across Sokoto to create disorder, give the All Progressives Congress (APC) controlled state government an excuse to impose a curfew and prevent the ADC campaign from taking place as planned.
According to Atiku, some of the protesters were allegedly assembled at an office behind Zenith Bank on Koko Road, with trucks stationed at the location and deployed to strategic areas, including a roundabout.
He claimed the protesters were already causing traffic congestion, threatening commuters and assaulting some residents, while others had moved away from the roundabout to find shade.
The former vice president described the alleged actions as political interference and accused the security agencies of abandoning their responsibility to protect Nigerians.
He called on officers allegedly involved in the mobilisation to stop immediately and carry out their constitutional duties without political influence.
Atiku also accused the Sokoto State Government of deliberately frustrating the ADC by denying the party access to public facilities for political activities and withholding logistical support needed for its campaign.
He described the alleged restrictions as a calculated attempt to deny the opposition a fair opportunity to compete ahead of the 2027 general election.
The ADC presidential candidate further accused President Bola Tinubu’s administration of weakening opposition parties instead of addressing the economic challenges facing Nigerians.
He alleged that the government was pursuing a strategy of bringing former opposition members into the APC while creating difficulties for parties seeking to challenge its hold on power.
Atiku warned that the country could gradually move towards a one party system if opposition parties were prevented from operating freely.
He also criticised the government over the rising cost of food, transportation, fuel, electricity and other essential goods, saying millions of Nigerians were struggling to meet their daily needs.
Speaking on his plans for the country, Atiku promised that an ADC government would make life more affordable through increased support for local production, stronger food production, job creation and policies to reduce the cost of doing business.
He also proposed a targeted production subsidy linked to fuel refined in Nigeria, saying the policy would provide measurable relief to consumers while supporting local industries.
Atiku also criticised the APC over what he described as the poor outcome of its recent rally in Kaduna, arguing that the ruling party should recognise growing public dissatisfaction rather than resort to intimidation.
Despite the alleged attempts to frustrate the ADC campaign, Atiku insisted that the party would not abandon its plans to campaign in Sokoto.
He confirmed that he would visit the state on Wednesday, November 4, to address residents and supporters.
He urged the people of Sokoto to remain peaceful and avoid actions that could turn political activities into a security crisis.
He also called on security agencies to protect residents, commuters and campaign participants without favouring any political party.
Atiku warned that security officers who participate in efforts to suppress political freedom would be held accountable under the law, while praising those who remain committed to the Constitution.
The allegations come amid growing political tension in Sokoto following the state government’s decision to seal an ADC campaign office over questions surrounding the ownership of the property.
The Sokoto State Commissioner for Lands and Housing, Nasiru Dantsoho, said government records showed that the building belonged to the defunct Savannah Bank and that the state had contacted the Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC) to clarify its ownership.
The government said the premises were sealed following concerns over a confrontation involving political supporters and would remain closed pending clarification.
The ADC, however, disputed the government’s action, arguing that the state had no ownership claim over the property and questioning its authority to restrict the party’s activities there.
The controversy also follows an alleged attack on the convoy of the ADC governorship candidate in Sokoto, Manir Muhammad Dan’iya, near the Sultan Abubakar III International Airport on October 30.
Dan’iya accused personnel of the Sokoto Marshals and the state Community Guard of obstructing his convoy, firing shots and damaging his vehicle.
The Sokoto APC rejected claims of politically motivated violence, while the state police command said the incident was being investigated.
With the ADC insisting that its campaign will proceed, attention is now focused on the security situation in Sokoto ahead of Atiku’s planned visit and the party’s campaign activities.
Atiku maintained that Nigerians must be allowed to choose their leaders freely, warning that no government or political party has the right to silence opposition voices.
