By Ghazali Ibrahim
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has announced its state secretariat along Ilorin Road, Sokoto, as the venue for the flag-off of its presidential campaign ahead of the 2027 general elections, following days of uncertainty over the location amid growing tension between the party and the Sokoto State Government.
The party’s presidential campaign flag-off is scheduled to hold on Wednesday, November 4, with its presidential candidate and former Vice-President, Atiku Abubakar, expected to lead the exercise.
The venue, located at No. 1 Ilorin Road, Sokoto, was announced by the ADC State Presidential Campaign Coordinator, Senator Ibrahim Lamido, in a statement on Wednesday.
Lamido also disclosed that Atiku was expected to arrive at the Sultan Abubakar III International Airport, Sokoto, at 9:00 a.m., urging party supporters and members of the public to turn out to receive the former Vice-President before proceeding to the campaign venue.
He called on party executives across the state’s 23 local government areas and wards, mobilisation coordinators, support groups, women and youth organisations to activate their structures and ensure massive participation in the event.
The announcement comes hours after the party had maintained secrecy over the campaign venue, citing security concerns and alleged attempts to frustrate its political activities in the state.
The ADC had earlier disclosed that it secured a location for the rally but would not make it public until it received clearance from its national leadership.
The party’s position followed heightened political tension in Sokoto, particularly after the state government sealed its campaign office along Ahmadu Bello Way in Sokoto metropolis.
The development sparked accusations of political intimidation, with the ADC alleging that the action was part of attempts to restrict its activities and frustrate its preparations for the presidential campaign.
However, the Sokoto State Government dismissed suggestions that the sealing of the building was politically motivated.
The state’s Commissioner for Lands and Housing, Nasiru Aliyu Dantsoho, said the government acted after reviewing the property’s ownership documents and discovering that its Certificate of Occupancy remained registered in the name of the defunct Savannah Bank.
He explained that the government had contacted the Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC), which it identified as the custodian of the bank’s assets, to clarify the ownership status of the property.
According to him, the premises would remain sealed pending clarification of its ownership, adding that the action was also intended to prevent further disturbances and protect lives and property.
The dispute over the campaign office added to concerns about the security of the ADC’s planned rally, with the party’s presidential campaign committee spokesman, Dahiru Maishanu, previously disclosing that the party had approached security agencies over reports of possible attempts to disrupt the event.
The Sokoto State Police Command, however, assured that adequate security would be provided for the rally.
The command’s spokesperson, DSP Ahmed Rufai, said the police had received an official request from the organisers for security coverage and that the Commissioner of Police had directed officers to make the necessary arrangements.
He maintained that political campaigns were a constitutional right and that the police would not deny any political party the opportunity to exercise such a right.
Meanwhile, ADC National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, had expressed confidence that the campaign flag-off would proceed as scheduled, saying the party’s leadership was in contact with its officials in Sokoto and that necessary arrangements had been concluded.
The party’s presidential campaign is coming amid intensifying political activities and realignments ahead of the 2027 general elections, with Atiku expected to use the Sokoto rally to mobilise support for the ADC and present the party as an alternative to the ruling All Progressives Congress.
The development also places the spotlight on the political atmosphere in Sokoto, where disagreements over access to party facilities, security concerns and allegations of intimidation have raised questions about the environment for opposition political activities ahead of the next general elections.
