Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar has accused the Department of State Services (DSS) of mobilising protesters to disrupt the African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential campaign rally in Sokoto, alleging a plot to create disorder and provide justification for imposing a curfew to prevent the opposition party’s campaign from holding.
Atiku, the ADC presidential candidate, made the allegation on Tuesday while addressing journalists in Abuja, as the party raised concerns over what it described as a coordinated campaign of intimidation, political violence and administrative obstruction by the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led governments at the state and federal levels.
The allegations have heightened political tension ahead of Wednesday’s campaign flag-off, with the ADC keeping its rally venue secret over security concerns, petitioning foreign diplomatic missions and warning the Sokoto State Government against further interference with its activities.
Atiku claimed that the DSS was recruiting protesters and coordinating their movement around strategic locations in Sokoto to create traffic congestion, provoke violence and manufacture a security crisis that could lead to the imposition of a curfew.
He alleged that some of the protesters were assembled at an office behind Zenith Bank on Koko Road, from where trucks were being deployed to strategic points, including a roundabout.
According to him, the protesters had been causing gridlock, threatening commuters and assaulting some residents.
“These are not harmless administrative delays. They are deliberate attempts to deny the ADC a level playing field,” Atiku said, describing the alleged mobilisation as political interference disguised as security operations.
“Security agencies exist to protect Nigerians and uphold the law, not to recruit protesters or help a political party manufacture a crisis,” he added, calling on officers allegedly involved to desist and return to their constitutional responsibility of impartial service.
The former vice-president also accused President Bola Tinubu’s administration of concentrating more on weakening opposition parties than addressing the country’s economic challenges.
He alleged that the APC had adopted a strategy of political absorption and intimidation by drawing former opposition figures into its fold, thereby narrowing the space for political competition.
“The aim is to reduce Nigeria to a one-party state in all but name,” he said.
Atiku linked the alleged political manoeuvres to the administration’s handling of the economy, arguing that the rising cost of food, transportation, fuel, electricity and other essentials had left millions of Nigerians struggling to meet basic needs.
He said the government should be defending its economic record before the electorate rather than attempting to frustrate opposition campaigns.
The ADC presidential candidate promised that his administration, if elected in 2027, would support local production, strengthen food production, create jobs and reduce the cost of doing business. He also proposed a targeted production subsidy tied to fuel refined in Nigeria, which he said would provide measurable relief to consumers while strengthening domestic industry.
The ADC’s National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, also accused the ruling parties of frustrating the opposition’s preparations for the Sokoto rally.
He alleged that securing private aircraft to transport party leaders and supporters to the state had become unusually difficult, claiming that operators repeatedly said their aircraft had already been booked.
Abdullahi further alleged that the APC was attempting to create conditions that could justify a curfew and prevent the rally from taking place.
Despite the concerns, he said the party had concluded arrangements for the campaign flag-off and was confident that it would proceed successfully.
The ADC presidential campaign committee spokesman, Dahiru Maishanu, disclosed that the party had secured a venue but would not disclose its location until clearance was obtained from the national headquarters.
He said the decision was informed by security concerns and reports of possible attempts to disrupt the gathering.
Maishanu added that the party had formally approached the police and the DSS for security protection and had received assurances that adequate arrangements would be made.
He also alleged that the state government had restricted accommodation arrangements for some ADC guests, although party members who had arrived in Sokoto had managed to secure lodging.
The controversy follows the sealing of the ADC state office by the Sokoto State Government, an action the opposition party has described as politically motivated.
However, the state government has denied targeting the ADC, insisting that the closure was necessary to prevent further violence.
The Commissioner for Lands and Housing, Nasiru Aliyu Dantsoho, said the decision followed a violent confrontation between PDP and ADC supporters at the premises and a security report warning of possible further violence.
He also said investigations showed that the property’s Certificate of Occupancy remained registered in the name of the defunct Savannah Bank.
According to him, the government had approached the Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation for clarification, given its responsibility for managing the assets of failed banks.
The state government maintained that its intervention was intended to protect lives and property and prevent a breakdown of law and order.
Meanwhile, the Sokoto State Police Command said it was aware of the rally and had received a formal request from the organisers for security coverage.
The command’s spokesman, DSP Ahmed Rufai, said the Commissioner of Police had directed officers to provide adequate protection for the event.
He stressed that political campaigns were a constitutional right and that the police would not deny any political party the opportunity to exercise that right. However, he said the command had yet to receive information about the venue.
In a significant development, the DSS announced that its Director-General had ordered an investigation into Atiku’s allegation.
In a statement issued by its Deputy Director of Public Relations and Strategic Communications, Favour Dozie, the agency rejected the suggestion that its operatives were working to disrupt the ADC’s activities.
It cited the evacuation of the party’s Sokoto governorship candidate, Mannir Dan’iya, to safety on October 31 following an attack, during which two DSS operatives were reportedly assaulted and hospitalised.
The service said Dan’iya had personally contacted its Sokoto State Director to appreciate the operatives and request additional security reinforcement.
It also cited the arrest and prosecution of Monday Udeme Steven in Rivers State on March 2, 2026, over an alleged threat to attack Peter Obi, presidential candidate of the Nigerian Democratic Congress. According to the DSS, Steven was subsequently sentenced to two years’ imprisonment by a Federal High Court.
The agency maintained that its record of providing security for political actors contradicted Atiku’s allegation but said the Director-General had nevertheless ordered an investigation in deference to the former vice-president.
Beyond the allegations against the DSS, the ADC has sought international intervention over what it describes as a pattern of political violence and restrictions on opposition activities in Sokoto.
The party said a petition dated November 3 had been submitted by the civil society organisation Arewa Transformational Leader to the United States and United Kingdom embassies, the European Union Delegation to Nigeria and ECOWAS, and the Muslim World League.
The petition called for diplomatic intervention over alleged attacks on ADC supporters, the sealing of its state office and threats to peaceful political participation.
It cited an alleged attack on women participating in an ADC solidarity procession on October 28, as well as an alleged attack on the convoy of Dan’iya on October 30 by operatives of the Sokoto Marshal and Sokoto Community Guards.
The organisation also called for investigations into allegations that political stakeholders had mobilised thugs and procured motorcycles for possible attacks on opposition supporters, while acknowledging that some of the reports had not been independently verified.
Among its demands were independent investigations, impartial security protection for opposition supporters and possible visa restrictions against individuals established through credible evidence to have sponsored political violence.
The ADC’s National Youth Leader, Balarabe Rufai, also declared that the party would intensify efforts to mobilise young Nigerians against the APC ahead of the 2027 elections.
He said the reception accorded the party’s delegation in Sokoto demonstrated that supporters would not be deterred by intimidation.
The escalating controversy comes as political parties intensify preparations for the 2027 general elections. The APC had on Tuesday staged what it described as a one-million-man rally in Sokoto in support of President Tinubu and Governor Ahmed Aliyu’s second-term ambition.
Atiku, however, vowed that the ADC would not abandon its campaign despite the alleged obstacles, promising to address residents at the rally.
He urged Sokoto residents to remain peaceful and called on security agencies to protect commuters, residents and participants without political discrimination.
