Former Sokoto State Governor and Senator representing Sokoto South, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, has reportedly opened his residences across Sokoto State to accommodate supporters and visitors expected for the African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential campaign flag-off scheduled for Wednesday, November 4, 2026.
The gesture comes amid escalating political tension between the opposition ADC and the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led Sokoto State Government over alleged restrictions on hotel accommodation and the sealing of an ADC campaign office ahead of the highly anticipated rally.
Tambuwal, a prominent ADC chieftain and former governor of Sokoto State, is expected to play a major role in mobilising supporters for the party’s presidential candidate, former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar.
According to reports published on Tuesday, November 3, Tambuwal’s decision to make his residences available is intended to ease accommodation difficulties facing party leaders, delegates and supporters travelling to Sokoto for the rally.
The development follows allegations by the ADC that hotel operators in Sokoto metropolis were being pressured to deny accommodation to visitors attending the opposition party’s political gathering.
The party had alleged that some delegates who made reservations and paid for hotel rooms were subsequently informed that accommodation was unavailable.
However, Sokoto State Commissioner for Information, Sambo Danchadi, previously denied that the government issued any directive restricting hotels from accommodating ADC supporters.
He maintained that hotels were private businesses operating independently and insisted that the government had no intention of interfering with their commercial activities.
Sokoto Government Seals ADC Campaign Office
The controversy intensified on Monday after the Sokoto State Government sealed an ADC campaign office located along Ahmadu Bello Way in the state capital.
The Commissioner for Lands and Housing, Nasiru Dantsoho, who led government officials to the premises, said the action followed concerns over the ownership of the property.
According to him, government records indicated that the building originally belonged to the defunct Savannah Bank, with no official documentation establishing a change of ownership.
Dantsoho disclosed that the government had written to the Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC), which he identified as the custodian of the property, to clarify its ownership status.
He said the premises would remain sealed pending clarification from the NDIC, adding that the measure was intended to protect lives and property and prevent further disturbances.
The development has generated political controversy, with the ADC questioning the circumstances surrounding the government’s action ahead of its presidential campaign gathering.
Atiku Accuses Tinubu Government, DSS Of Plotting To Disrupt Rally
The controversy took another dimension on Tuesday when Atiku accused the APC-led government in Sokoto and the leadership of the State Security Service (SSS), also known as the Department of State Services (DSS), of allegedly working to frustrate the ADC rally.
Addressing journalists in Abuja, the former Vice-President alleged that protesters were being mobilised to cause disorder and create a situation that could provide justification for imposing a curfew to prevent the opposition gathering.
Atiku claimed that public facilities and logistical arrangements needed for the campaign had been obstructed.
He also alleged that protesters were being assembled at strategic locations in Sokoto, including an area around Koko Road, behind Zenith Bank.
However, the allegations concerning the alleged involvement of the security agency and the mobilisation of protesters have not been independently established.
Atiku insisted that the ADC would not abandon its planned gathering despite the reported challenges.
He also appealed to security agencies to protect residents, commuters and rally participants without political discrimination.
ADC Rally Follows Reported Attack On Governorship Candidate
The latest developments come against the backdrop of an alleged attack on the convoy of the ADC governorship candidate in Sokoto State, Manir Muhammad Dan’iya.
The incident reportedly occurred on October 30, 2026, near the Sultan Abubakar III International Airport, shortly after Dan’iya escorted Tambuwal to the airport.
Dan’iya alleged that personnel of the Sokoto Marshal and the state Community Guard blocked his convoy, fired gunshots and damaged vehicles in his security team.
The APC dismissed the allegations as fabricated claims intended to attract public sympathy and discredit the state government.
The Sokoto State Police Command confirmed receiving a report about the incident and said investigations would be conducted to establish the circumstances and identify anyone responsible.
