The African Democratic Congress (ADC) says its presidential campaign flag-off rescheduled for Nov. 4, will proceed and urged party loyalists and supporters to remain calm, peaceful, disciplined and law-abiding.
The Director-General of the ADC Governorship Campaign Council in Sokoto State, Alhaji Bello Goronyo, disclosed this at a news conference on Sunday in Sokoto.
Goronyo appealed to security agencies to investigate alleged attacks on its members and governorship candidate, Alhaji Manir Dan’iya, and provide adequate protection for its supporters ahead of its presidential campaign flag-off.
He alleged that the incidents constituted a sustained pattern of violence and intimidation against the party, insisting that “Sokoto State is not the private property of the APC or of any individual.”
Goronyo explained that ADC women were attacked during a peaceful solidarity march on Oct. 28, leaving some participants injured, while their mobile phones were allegedly snatched, clothes torn and vehicles and other property vandalised.
According to him, the party’s state campaign office was also attacked on the same day, with windows and doors smashed, property damaged or stolen and three motorcycles destroyed.
The campaign director-general added that party billboards, posters and other campaign materials had been destroyed in different parts of the state.
He further recalled that the party’s governorship candidate was attacked at the Sultan Abubakar III International Airport, Sokoto, on Oct. 30, allegedly involving personnel of the Sokoto Marshals and Sokoto Community Guards.
“His vehicles were smashed, and gunshots were reportedly fired, placing him and those accompanying him in grave danger,” Goronyo said.
He added that two Department of State Services (DSS) personnel attached to the candidate’s security detail were reportedly detained.
Goronyo also alleged that hotel operators were pressured to cancel reservations made by the party ahead of its presidential campaign flag-off, while some government-owned hotels reportedly declined to accommodate guests.
The director-general called for investigations into the allegations and reports that ADC supporters were to be prevented from entering the state.
He urged the Inspector-General of Police, the Director-General of the DSS and other relevant authorities to conduct a comprehensive and transparent investigation, identify those responsible and prosecute anyone found culpable in accordance with the law.
“The ADC is a peaceful political party committed to democratic principles, political tolerance, constitutional freedoms and the rule of law,” he said.
The director-general added that the party’s commitment to peace should not be mistaken for weakness or surrender of its constitutional rights.
Goronyo also called for an investigation into the alleged involvement of a person identified as Aliyu K.C. and his associates in the attacks, as well as the circumstances surrounding their reported release from prison.
“No threat, intimidation or unlawful obstruction will deprive the party of its constitutional right to organise political activities and campaign for its candidates,” he said.
The ADC called on civil society organisations, human rights groups, the media and the international community to monitor developments in Sokoto, insisting that political competition should be determined by ideas, policies, performance and voters’ choices rather than violence or intimidation.
Meanwhile, the Sokoto State Police Command said it had commenced a discreet investigation into the alleged attack.
The command’s Public Relations Officer, DSP Ahmad Rufa’i, told newsmen in Sokoto that the investigation would establish the circumstances surrounding the incident and identify those responsible.
He said anyone found culpable would face appropriate action in accordance with the law.
