The African Democratic Congress has postponed its presidential campaign flag-off in Sokoto State after alleging that hotels in the state capital were prevented from accommodating its delegates ahead of the planned rally.
The campaign kick-off, initially scheduled for Saturday, October 31, has been moved to Wednesday, November 4, following what the party described as planning and coordination challenges.
The postponement came amid allegations that hotel operators in Sokoto metropolis were directed to deny accommodation to ADC supporters travelling from different parts of the country for the event.
The party alleged that some delegates who had already secured rooms and checked into hotels were subsequently asked to leave, raising concerns over the circumstances surrounding the reported restrictions.
However, the Sokoto State Government denied issuing any directive to hotels to reject ADC delegates, describing the allegation as an unsubstantiated rumour.
The ADC Presidential Campaign Council announced the postponement in a statement, attributing the decision to the need to address planning and coordination issues to ensure a successful event.
The party’s National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, also confirmed that the campaign would not hold on Saturday, although he said the new date needed further confirmation.
The controversy over accommodation emerged after the ADC accused the state government of interfering with the operations of hotels to frustrate its political activities ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The party’s presidential campaign spokesperson, Dahiru Maishanu, alleged that several hotels had informed prospective guests that their rooms were fully booked until Sunday, despite the influx of delegates expected for the rally.
He described the development as an attempt to prevent party supporters from attending the campaign flag-off.
“This action smacks of executive rascality and unwarranted partisanship by the state government and its agents,” Maishanu said.
He questioned why the government would allegedly interfere with privately owned businesses and prevent customers willing to pay for accommodation from accessing hotel rooms.
“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 Sokoto metropolis, who spoke on condition of anonymity, confirmed that the establishment had no available rooms until Sunday.
The manager alleged that some unidentified individuals had met with hotel operators and that a government representative collected hotel room keys until Sunday. The allegation could not be independently verified.
When contacted about room availability, the manager told the newspaper that all rooms had been booked, adding that no vacant accommodation was available in hotels across the metropolis.
The ADC state youth leader, Muhammad Yakub, also said the party was struggling to secure accommodation for visitors expected at the rally.
Yakub said he personally contacted hotel operators under the pretext of seeking rooms for a visitor but was informed that no accommodation was available.
He said the party was considering alternative arrangements, including lodging delegates in the homes of party members, friends and relatives.
Despite the difficulties, he maintained that the party was determined to proceed with its political activities.
But the state Commissioner for Information, Sambo Danchadi, rejected the allegation, insisting that the government had neither issued nor contemplated any directive barring hotels from accommodating ADC members.
“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,” he said.
Danchadi added that the government had no intention of denying anyone access to accommodation in the state.
The controversy comes against the backdrop of heightened political tension in Sokoto following a separate confrontation involving ADC supporters during a rally by the party’s women and youths.
The ADC governorship candidate, Manir Dan’iya, alleged that suspected supporters of the ruling All Progressives Congress disrupted a procession involving about 5,000 women and youths in the state capital on Wednesday.
According to a statement issued by his media aide, Aminu Abdullahi, the procession began around 10am from the Old Savannah Bank area towards the ADC state secretariat before it was allegedly disrupted.
The party claimed that several women sustained injuries, some participants had their veils torn, vehicles were damaged and valuables stolen.
Dan’iya called on the police to investigate the incident and prosecute anyone found responsible, insisting that political supporters should be allowed to exercise their democratic rights without intimidation.
The Sokoto State Police Command confirmed receiving information about the confrontation and deploying personnel to disperse those involved.
The police spokesperson, DSP Ahmed Rufai, said officers observed damaged vehicles and other affected property upon arriving at the scene. He added that investigations were ongoing.
However, an APC chieftain, Bajare, rejected allegations linking the ruling party to the violence, describing them as fabricated claims intended to damage its image.
He counter-alleged that ADC supporters attacked APC youths and seized two motorcycles, although he claimed that only one was subsequently returned. The competing allegations had not been independently verified.
The police said political parties had been advised to notify the command of planned activities at least 48 hours in advance to enable adequate security arrangements. According to the command, the ADC had not officially notified it before the rally.
The rescheduled campaign is expected to attract the ADC presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, his running mate, Rotimi Amaechi, former Sokoto State governor and senator representing Sokoto South, Aminu Tambuwal, as well as other party leaders and supporters.
