Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar has accused the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Department of State Services (DSS) of plotting to frustrate the African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential campaign rally scheduled to hold in Sokoto State.
Gatekeepers News reports that Atiku, ADC presidential candidate, made the allegations while addressing journalists in Abuja on Tuesday, November 3, 2026, ahead of the party’s campaign flag-off scheduled for Wednesday.
He alleged that DSS leadership was recruiting protesters to cause disorder in Sokoto, thereby providing the state government with an excuse to impose a curfew and prevent the opposition party from holding its rally.
The former vice-president also accused the state government of blocking public facilities intended for political campaigns and withholding logistical support from ADC.
According to him, some protesters had assembled at an office behind Zenith Bank on Koko Road, while trucks were allegedly stationed at strategic locations to transport them.
Atiku described the development as an attempt to undermine political competition and deny Nigerians the freedom to choose their leaders ahead of the 2027 general election.
He also accused APC of resorting to intimidation following what he described as the ruling party’s poor performance at its recent rally in Kaduna.
ADC presidential candidate, however, vowed that the alleged attempts to frustrate the party would not stop its campaign activities.
“Our campaign will proceed, and I will be in Sokoto tomorrow, God willing, to address the good people of the state,” he said.
Atiku urged residents to remain peaceful and called on security agencies to protect commuters, residents and rally participants without political bias.
He warned security operatives against interfering in political activities, adding that officers who colluded in suppressing political freedom would be held accountable under the law.
The allegations come amid tensions between the ADC and the Sokoto State Government over the closure of the party’s campaign office ahead of the rally.
The state government had said the property belonged to the defunct Savannah Bank and was sealed pending clarification from the Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC) over its ownership.
However, ADC disputed the government’s action, insisting that the closure was an attempt to obstruct its political activities.
DSS had yet to publicly respond to Atiku’s allegations as of the time of filing this report.
