The African Democratic Congress, ADC, has warned Sokoto State Governor Ahmed Aliyu that it will hold him responsible for any violence against opposition members amid tensions over the party’s planned presidential campaign launch in the state.
The party issued the warning on Tuesday, a day after the state government sealed its campaign office along Ahmadu Bello Way in Sokoto over a property ownership dispute and security concerns.
In a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, the ADC accused the state government of political intimidation and interference with its activities.
The party said no governor had the authority to determine which political parties could campaign or which candidates could address residents. It warned that public officials who obstruct lawful political activities should be prepared to face legal consequences.
However, the state Commissioner for Lands and Housing, Nasiru Dantsoho, said government records showed that the property belonged to Savannah Bank, with no documented transfer of ownership.
Dantsoho said the government had written to the Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation, NDIC, to clarify the ownership status and would keep the premises sealed pending its response. He also cited a disturbance involving political supporters near the property as part of the reason for the closure.
Meanwhile, Aminu Abdullahi, spokesperson for ADC governorship candidate Manir Dan’iya, alleged that the state government demanded N30 million for a venue for the campaign launch.
He said the party agreed to the amount but was not given payment details. The allegation had not been independently verified, and the report did not include a response from the state government.
The dispute followed an alleged attack on Dan’iya’s convoy near Sokoto Airport on October 30.
The ADC said it would proceed with its campaign launch despite the dispute and urged its supporters to remain peaceful.