The presidential candidate of African Democratic Congress (ADC), Atiku Abubakar, has accused the management of the Department of State Services (DSS) of recruiting thugs to disrupt his celebration’s campaigns in Sokoto State.
Atiku additionally decried violence and political intimidation of ADC members within the state by the state authorities, in addition to the federal government’s refusal to grant the opposition entry to public services for rallies and campaigns.
He vowed that no matter the actions of the safety businesses and the state authorities’s denial of entry to public services, he would handle a rally in Sokoto at the moment.
That was as Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) states chairmen petitioned the Inspector General of Police, Tunji Disu, over alleged intimidation and harassment by APC governors.
In the same vein, former governor of Sokoto State and senator for Sokoto South, Aminu Tambuwal, decried alleged political intimidation within the state and vowed to defend democratic rights and freedom of affiliation.
Meanwhile, DSS responded to Atiku, saying though its Director-General has ordered a probe into the allegation of thugsrecruitment, in reverence to him, a few of its operatives deployed to the ADC governorship candidate in Sokoto State, Mannir Daniya, not too long ago evacuated him to security unharmed when he was attacked on October 31.
Addressing a press convention on Tuesday in Abuja, the previous vp mentioned, “I handle you at the moment with a heavy however resolute coronary heart. What is unfolding in Sokoto isn’t peculiar political competitors.
“It is a calculated marketing campaign to frustrate the African Democratic Congress, hinder our marketing campaign, and deny Nigerians the liberty to decide on.
“Public services that must be out there to each political celebration for official marketing campaign actions have been blocked. Logistical assist has been withheld.
“These are not harmless administrative delays. They are deliberate attempts to deny the ADC a level playing field.”
Atiku mentioned, “More disturbing nonetheless, the knowledge out there to us is that the management of the Department of State Services is recruiting folks to stage protests in Sokoto.
“The goal is to create dysfunction, give the APC-controlled state authorities a pretext to impose a curfew, and stop our marketing campaign take off from holding as scheduled.
“We know the place a few of these protesters are assembled: an workplace behind Zenith Bank on Koko Road. Trucks are stationed there and dispatched to key factors, together with the roundabout.
“These mobilised protesters are causing gridlock. Commuters are being threatened and, in some cases, beaten. Some of the protesters have moved away from the roundabout to find shade.”
Atiku mentioned, “This isn’t intelligence work. It is political interference wearing official uniform. Security businesses exist to guard Nigerians and uphold the legislation, to not recruit protesters or assist a political celebration manufacture a disaster.
“I call on every officer involved to stop immediately and return to the constitutional duty of impartial service.”
Blaming the present administration for the breach of peace, Atiku mentioned, “For three and a half years, the Tinubu administration has devoted an excessive amount of power to weakening credible opposition and too little to fixing the issues dealing with Nigerians.
“It has pursued a politics of absorption and intimidation, whereas drawing former opposition figures into the APC and narrowing the house for political competitors. The purpose is to scale back Nigeria to a one-party state in all however title.
“The government is afraid of the people’s verdict. It has unleashed a crushing cost of living crisis and now appears determined to frustrate Nigerians’ democratic right to choose a different path. Food, transport, fuel, electricity and other essentials have become unaffordable for millions.”
The former vp said, “Families are struggling to feed their children, pay school fees, and keep their businesses alive. That is the record this government should be defending before the people, instead of trying to stop a rally.”
On his plans for the nation if elected president subsequent 12 months, Atiku declared, “I’ll make life inexpensive once more. We will assist native manufacturing, strengthen meals manufacturing, create jobs and cut back the price of doing enterprise.
“We will pursue a focused manufacturing subsidy tied to gas refined in Nigeria, in order that assist reaches shoppers by means of measurable reduction whereas additionally strengthening home business.
“Nigerians deserve policies that put food on the table, restore opportunity and make daily life manageable again.”
Atiku mentioned, “The APC has nonetheless not recovered from the abysmal failure of its final rally in Kaduna.
“It ought to have taken that as a warning that Nigerians are withdrawing their confidence. Instead, it has chosen intimidation and obstruction. These are the final kicks of a dying horse.
“The more this government tries to silence the people, the clearer it becomes that it has already lost their confidence.”
The ADC presidential candidate mentioned, “The 2027 common election will likely be a defining second in our democratic historical past. This is greater than a contest between events or candidates.
“It is a selection between a authorities that has proven indifference to folks’s struggling and Nigerians who’ve endured sufficient and need their votes to depend.
“The ADC will resist every gimmick, administrative roadblock and underhand manoeuvre designed to exclude the opposition or impose a one party reality on Nigeria.”
He said, “We is not going to be intimidated into silence or irrelevance. Our marketing campaign will proceed, and I will likely be in Sokoto tomorrow, God prepared, to handle the great folks of the state.
“I call on the people of Sokoto to remain calm and peaceful. Do not allow anyone to provoke you or turn a political gathering into a security crisis.”
To the authorities, Atiku mentioned, “I additionally urge the safety businesses to guard commuters, residents and rally members with out favour. The authorities should be certain that our rally can maintain peacefully and with out interference.
“To the voters of Nigeria, remain resolute. Stand your ground. Democratic freedom is not a gift from any government. It is your right. Do not allow anyone to intimidate you or checkmate your will.”
Atiku said, “As the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress, I offer you my phrase: I’ll lead this marketing campaign and I cannot abandon the sector. We will confront each try to limit democratic participation with firmness, organisation and religion within the Nigerian folks.
“The ADC will stand with officers who refuse for use in opposition to democracy and who stay trustworthy to the structure. Those who select to betray their obligation and collude within the suppression of political freedom will likely be held accountable beneath the legislation.
“Nigeria belongs to its people, not to any party or temporary occupant of power. We will defend that truth and the people’s right to choose.”
Tambuwal Decries Political Intimidation in Sokoto, Vows to Defend Democratic Rights
Former Governor of Sokoto State and senator for Sokoto South, Aminu Tambuwal, decried alleged political intimidation within the state and vowed to defend democratic rights and freedom of affiliation. Tambuwal said this when he acquired the presidential candidate of Social Democratic Party (SDP), Adewole Adebayo, on a courtesy go to in Sokoto on Monday.
Tambuwal mentioned he was happy to obtain the delegation, stating that the go to got here at a very vital interval in Sokoto State’s political historical past.
The former governor reaffirmed that Sokoto was based on the rules of equity, inclusive governance, and respect for divergent opinions, stressing that the state belongs to all Nigerians.
Tambuwal said, “Sokoto belongs to all Nigerians. It must remain a welcoming environment where people from different political backgrounds can freely come, interact, and promote their ideas, particularly those relating to democracy and good governance.”
He expressed concern over what he described as troubling developments within the state. He alleged that the state authorities had sealed the ADC marketing campaign workplace and that the celebration’s governorship candidate, Hon. Manir Muhammad Dan’iya, had been attacked by personnel of government-recognised safety outfits.
Tambuwal described the incidents as inconsistent with Sokoto’s longstanding repute for peace, hospitality, and political tolerance, warning that such actions may undermine the state’s democratic credentials.
Tambuwal mentioned the opposition would proceed to withstand any motion able to limiting political freedom or discouraging residents from collaborating within the democratic course of.
The senator counseled Adebayo for his braveness, patriotism, and dedication to nationwide improvement, significantly his resolution to problem Tinubu, regardless of coming from the identical geopolitical zone.
Adebayo, for his half, mentioned he was within the state to congratulate the Sultan of Sokoto, His Eminence, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’advertAbubakar III, on the twentieth anniversary of his ascension to the throne.
He described Sokoto as a big centre of Nigeria’s historic, mental, and political heritage.
He said that Sokoto’s significance transcended its id because the seat of the caliphate, highlighting its enduring contributions to mental development and nationwide improvement.
Adebayo mentioned, “We are here in Sokoto to register our well wishes to the Sultan of Sokoto on attaining 20 years on the throne. We thought we should be here because Sokoto, as we know, is very integral to the history of Nigeria. We see Sokoto not just as a Caliphate but as a seat of intellect.”
Adebayo additionally known as on the Sokoto State authorities to respect political variety and assure freedom of motion for opposition politicians, stressing that no Nigerian must be denied entry to any a part of the nation due to political affiliation.
Meanwhile, the chairman of PDP states chairmen’s discussion board, Austin Nwachukwu, mentioned at a gathering with the celebration’s National Working Committee (NWC) at its National Secretariat that APC governors had been intimidating and harassing members of the celebration of their states.
Nwachukwu said, “l simply need to use this chance to additionally convey to the discover of our National Working Committee that some states within the nation, particularly the place we’ve APC governors, are very antagonistic to our candidates and members.
“We have painstakingly produced excellent candidates for the forthcoming elections and this isn’t going nicely with the governors of some states.
“For instance, final week, the discussion board management was pressured to go to Ebonyi State to handle a draconian challenge which were brewing there, the place intimidation, harassment, arrest, killings have change into the order of the day, beneath the watch of the governor of Ebonyi state, His Excellency, Governor Nwifuru.
“We made a presentation, and with me here’s a copy of the petition that we’re unfolding to the Inspector General of Police at the moment, and to different related safety businesses.
“The killings and harassment of our candidates and governorship candidates, especially in various states of the country, must stop.”
DSS Replies Atiku, Orders Investigation
DSS, final night time, responded to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, saying its operatives deployed to the ADC governorship candidate in Sokoto State, Mannir Daniya, not too long ago introduced him to security when he was attacked on October 31.
An announcement by Deputy Director, Public Relations and Strategic Communications of the service, Favour Dozie, mentioned, “The consideration of the DG Department of State Services (DSS) has been drawn to allegation by elder statesman and ADC presidential candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, that DSS is organising protests in Sokoto State.
“For the information, DSS operatives deployed to Sokoto ADC governorship candidate, Mannir Daniya, evacuated him to security unharmed on thirty first October 2026, when attacked in Sokoto.
“Two DSS operatives were assaulted during the incident and are still being treated in the hospital. The governorship candidate called personally to appreciate the State Director of Sokoto Command and even requested for reinforcement from the DSS.”
DSS added, “Recall additionally that, on 2nd March 2026, the service arrested Monday Udeme Steven in Rivers State, for threatening to assault Peter Obi, NDC presidential candidate. He was prosecuted by the service in a Rivers Federal High Court, and sentenced to 2 (2) years imprisonment.
“Though these operations to protect all political parties is at variance with the elder statesman’s allegation and tend to demoraliseour gallant operatives who are risking their lives in the line of duty, the DG DSS has still ordered an investigation into the allegation in deference to the elder statesman.”
DSS said, “The service additionally makes use of this medium to reference the same allegation by AAC presidential candidate Omoyele Soworethat the service was concerned in an assault on him in Ekiti State.
“In this regard, we thank the police for swift investigation and a preliminary report on the reason for the incident: ‘altercation’, coupled with the arrest of 11 suspects.
“We await the outcome of police investigation and will not dissipate energy on the matter. The service will continue to remain accountable under the present DG.”
Chuks Okocha in Abuja and Onuminya Innocent in Sokoto
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