ADC shifts Sokoto campaign kick-off amid hotel booking row

The African Democratic Congress has postponed its presidential campaign flag-off in Sokoto State, earlier scheduled for Saturday, October 31, to Wednesday, November 4, 2026.

A chieftain of the party, who sought anonymity because he was not authorised to speak publicly on the matter, disclosed the development to our correspondent on Wednesday.

When contacted, the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, in a terse WhatsApp message, said, “It’s definitely not Saturday. But the new date needs to be confirmed definitely.”

The postponement was also announced in a statement issued by the ADC Presidential Campaign Council in Sokoto State, which attributed the decision to planning and coordination considerations.

“The decision follows the need to address certain planning and coordination considerations to ensure the successful conduct of the event,” the statement read.

The development comes amid allegations by the ADC that the Sokoto State Government directed hotels in the state capital to deny accommodation to delegates expected to attend the campaign flag-off.

The party had alleged that some delegates who had already secured accommodation and checked into hotels were being asked to leave following the purported directive.

The campaign council, in its announcement of the postponement, apologised to party leaders, stakeholders, supporters and members of the public for any inconvenience the change might cause.

“The campaign council regrets any inconvenience the change may cause and sincerely appreciates the understanding, patience and continued support of party leaders, stakeholders, supporters and members of the public,” the statement added.

The council urged party members and other stakeholders to take note of the new date, expressing readiness to welcome political leaders, supporters and other guests to the event.

The postponement comes as political parties intensify preparations ahead of the 2027 general elections, with the ADC seeking to mobilise supporters and strengthen its political presence in Sokoto State.

The party had accused the Sokoto State Government of allegedly restricting hotel accommodation for its delegates ahead of the party’s presidential campaign flag-off scheduled for Saturday in Sokoto.

The party also accused suspected supporters of the ruling All Progressives Congress of attacking its members during a rally involving about 5,000 women and youths in the state capital.

The allegations have heightened political tension in Sokoto ahead of the campaign event, which is expected to attract the party’s presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, vice-presidential candidate, Rotimi Amaechi, former governor and senator representing Sokoto South, Aminu Tambuwal, and other national and state leaders.

The state government has, however, denied directing hotels to reject ADC delegates, while an APC chieftain dismissed the allegation of an attack on opposition supporters, insisting that the ruling party was not responsible for the incident.

The ADC presidential campaign spokesperson, Dahiru Maishanu, alleged that several hotels in the metropolis had informed prospective guests that their rooms were fully booked until Sunday, raising suspicions about the circumstances surrounding the reported restrictions.

He further alleged that some delegates who had secured accommodation and checked into hotels were being asked to vacate their rooms.

Maishanu described the development as an attempt to frustrate the party’s political activities and prevent supporters travelling from different parts of the country from attending the campaign flag-off.

“This action smacks of executive rascality and unwarranted partisanship by the state government and its agents,” he said.

He questioned why the government would allegedly interfere with the operations of privately-owned hotels and prevent guests from accessing accommodation they booked.

“It is irresponsible for the state government to allegedly direct both public and privately owned hotels to deny accommodation to people who are willing to pay for their rooms,” he added.

A hotel manager in the metropolis, who spoke on condition of anonymity, confirmed that the hotel had no available rooms for prospective guests until Sunday.

The manager alleged that some people whom he refused to disclose held a meeting with hotel operators, adding that a government representative collected the keys to the hotels’ rooms until Sunday.

When contacted by the correspondent to inquire about room availability ahead of Friday, the manager said all rooms had been booked.

“We don’t have any room from now till Sunday. All our rooms have been booked till Sunday,” he said.

“I can tell you for free that there is no vacant room for lodgers in all the hotels in the metropolis,” he added.

Speaking separately, the ADC state youth leader, identified as Muhammad Yakub, said the party was experiencing difficulties securing hotel accommodation for visitors expected to attend the campaign flag-off.

Yakub alleged that hotels across Sokoto metropolis had been booked ahead of the event, leaving the party with limited options for accommodating delegates arriving from different parts of the country.

He said he had personally contacted some hotel operators under the pretext of seeking accommodation for a visitor and was informed that no rooms were available.

According to him, the party was considering alternative arrangements, including accommodating visitors in the homes of party members, friends and relatives.

He said the party would proceed with the campaign activity despite the alleged difficulties, adding that its supporters were prepared to make sacrifices to ensure the event succeeded.

Reacting to the allegation, the Commissioner for Information, Sambo Danchadi, denied that the government had issued any directive preventing hotels from accommodating ADC delegates.

Speaking with our correspondent by telephone, Danchadi described the allegation as an unsubstantiated rumour, insisting that the government had no intention of interfering with hotel businesses.

“Hotels are here in the state for business. I believe that is how it operates anywhere in the world. We cannot give such a directive to any hotel not to take lodgers in their hotel.

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“The state government is not in the picture. We are in a democratic period; we cannot deny anyone from accessing hotels in the state,” the commissioner added.

In a related development, the ADC governorship candidate in Sokoto State, Manir Dan’iya, condemned what he described as an attack on members of the party’s women’s wing on Wednesday during a rally in support of the party’s leadership and his 2027 governorship ambition.

In a statement issued by his media aide, Aminu Abdullahi, Dan’iya said about 5,000 women and youths participated in the rally, which reportedly began around 10 am from the Old Savannah Bank area towards the ADC state secretariat.

He alleged that the procession was disrupted by individuals suspected to be APC supporters.

According to the statement, several women sustained injuries, some participants had their veils torn, ADC vehicles were damaged, and valuables were allegedly stolen during the incident.

Dan’iya called on the police to investigate the allegations and arrest anyone found culpable.

“There is absolutely no justification for attacking women who are exercising their democratic rights peacefully. Anyone who believes in democracy must condemn this shameful conduct without reservation,” he said.

The ADC candidate also questioned why women participating in a political rally should allegedly become targets of violence.

“Why should our women be attacked for expressing their political choice? If those behind this violence truly believe they enjoy majority support, what are they afraid of?” he asked.

He urged political leaders to restrain their supporters and allow opposition parties to conduct lawful activities without intimidation.

“The ADC will not be intimidated, and the political rights of our women will not be negotiated away.

“We demand justice for those injured, accountability for those responsible, and a clear commitment from the authorities that such attacks will not be repeated,” Dan’iya said.

Also speaking, Yakub denied allegations that ADC supporters had deliberately passed through an APC gathering to provoke a confrontation, insisting that the party’s meeting point was separate from the ruling party’s activities.

He called on security agencies to protect the lives and property of all residents, irrespective of their political affiliations.

The Sokoto State Police Command confirmed that it received information about the confrontation and deployed personnel to the scene.

The command’s spokesperson, DSP Ahmed Rufai, said the police mobilised officers after receiving a call about the incident and that officers were able to disperse those involved.

According to the police, officers who arrived at the scene observed that some vehicles had been damaged and other property affected.

The spokesperson said the command was investigating the incident and taking measures to prevent a recurrence.

He explained that the police had earlier met with political party chairmen to discuss security arrangements and the need to ensure peaceful campaigns ahead of the 2027 elections.

The command said political parties were expected to notify the police of their planned activities at least 48 hours before commencement to enable adequate security arrangements.

According to the spokesperson, the ADC had not officially notified the command of the rally before it took place.

He said the police had emphasised the importance of coordination among political parties and security agencies during a meeting held on September 9.

The command assured residents that it would take necessary measures to maintain peace and protect lives and property.

However, Bajare rejected the allegations against him and the APC, describing them as fabricated claims intended to damage the party’s image and provide the opposition with political scapegoats.

He maintained that the APC’s Sokoto Central Senatorial District Zonal Office had existed for more than 12 years without its members being responsible for any breach of peace.

In a counter-allegation, Bajare accused ADC supporters of attacking APC youths and allegedly seizing two motorcycles, claiming that only one was subsequently returned.

He said personnel of the Nigeria Police Force and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps were present during the confrontation and could provide evidence of what transpired between the rival groups.

Efforts to reach the APC state chairman, Haruna Adiya, for his reaction were unsuccessful.

The chairman, who initially said he was unaware of the incident, promised to get back to our correspondent after a meeting but had yet to do so as of the time of filing this report.

Another APC chieftain in the state, Alhaji Abubakar Bashar, also dismissed the allegation that members of the ruling party attacked ADC supporters.

“I don’t understand these allegations. We, as APC, do not have thugs, so how can they accuse us of using thugs to attack them?

“I believe the problem they have should be between them. They should look inwards for what happened. Those who attacked them should be members of their party and not from us,” he added.

His claim that the attackers were members of the ADC could not be independently verified.