Atiku, Tambuwal decry attack on Sokoto ADC gov candidate

Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, former Speaker of the House of Representatives Aminu Tambuwal and the African Democratic Congress have condemned the reported attack on the party’s governorship candidate in Sokoto State, Manir Dan’iya.

The condemnation came amid allegations that personnel of the Sokoto Marshal and the Sokoto State Community Guard attacked Dan’iya’s convoy near the state airport on Friday night, damaged his vehicle and detained two Department of State Services operatives with him.

Atiku, in a statement issued on Saturday on his X handle, described the incident, alongside the reported attack on African Action Congress presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore in Ekiti State, as troubling and unacceptable.

He accused the All Progressives Congress administration of using intimidation and violence to suppress opposition voices ahead of the 2027 general elections.

“The simultaneous attacks on Sowore and Dan’iya are deeply troubling and unacceptable. These twin assaults expose the extent to which the ruling APC administration is prepared to oppress and intimidate opposition leaders and their supporters,” Atiku said.

The ADC presidential candidate alleged that political enforcers and thugs loyal to the APC were unleashing violence on opposition figures, while expressing concern over reports of missing social media influencers.

He called on the Federal Government to order immediate and transparent investigations into the incidents and guarantee opposition parties the freedom to operate without intimidation.

Atiku maintained that Nigerians must be allowed to freely participate in the political process and determine the country’s political future through their votes.

Similarly, Tambuwal, the senator representing Sokoto South, described the attack as disturbing, urging the police, DSS and other security agencies to conduct a thorough and impartial investigation.

In a statement issued on Saturday through his media office, the former governor said no Nigerian should face threats, violence or harassment for exercising the constitutional right to associate with a political party or seek elective office.

“Security outfits have a responsibility to protect all citizens, regardless of political affiliation, and must never become instruments of political intimidation,” he said.

Tambuwal also urged the Sokoto State Government to ensure that security outfits under its authority operated lawfully and impartially.

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He called on ADC members and supporters to remain calm, saying the party would proceed with its scheduled presidential campaign flag-off in Sokoto on November 4.

The ADC Presidential Campaign Council had earlier given security agencies in the state 24 hours to arrest those allegedly involved in the attack and secure the release of the two DSS operatives.

In a statement signed by its Director of Media and Publicity, Kola Ologbondiyan, the council alleged that the incident occurred around 9 p.m. on Friday when Dan’iya was returning to the city after accompanying Tambuwal to the airport.

It claimed that armed personnel of the state-owned security outfit blocked the candidate’s convoy, fired gunshots and damaged several vehicles, including his sports utility vehicle.

The council further alleged that outfit personnel were stationed at entry points into the Sokoto metropolis, where they harassed motorists and targeted vehicles displaying ADC posters and insignia.

Describing the incident as an attempt to intimidate opposition figures, the council said, “This is not governance. It is banditry in uniform, and it must not be tolerated in a democracy.”

It warned that failure by the authorities to act would compel the party to take further lawful steps to protect its members and political interests.

However, the state Chairman of the APC, Haruna Adiya, dismissed the allegations as fabricated claims intended to attract public sympathy and discredit the state government.

Adiya said the security deployment was connected to preparations for a traditional title conferment ceremony scheduled for Sunday, which was expected to attract dignitaries from different parts of the country.

He maintained that the deployment was intended to protect residents and visitors and had nothing to do with the ADC’s political activities.

Meanwhile, the Sokoto State Police Command said it was investigating the incident, confirming that it was aware of the occurrence.