Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has accused the Department of State Services (DSS) of allegedly recruiting protesters to disrupt the African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential campaign rally scheduled to hold in Sokoto State on Wednesday, November 4, 2026.
Atiku, the ADC presidential candidate for the 2027 general election, alleged that the planned protests were designed to trigger violence, provide grounds for the imposition of a curfew and ultimately prevent the opposition party from launching its campaign.
He made the allegations on Tuesday, November 3, while addressing journalists in Abuja, amid escalating political tensions between the ADC and the Sokoto State Government.
The former vice president claimed that individuals were being mobilised from an office behind Zenith Bank on Koko Road, with trucks allegedly conveying protesters to strategic locations across the city.
He further alleged that the mobilised individuals were causing traffic congestion, threatening commuters and assaulting residents.
Atiku described the alleged involvement of security operatives in organising political protests as an abuse of public institutions and a threat to Nigeria’s democratic process.
“This is not intelligence work. This is political interference dressed in official uniform,” he said, calling on the DSS leadership to ensure that its personnel remained politically neutral.
The allegations came amid growing controversy over the Sokoto State Government’s decision to seal an ADC campaign office along Ahmadu Bello Way in Sokoto metropolis, barely days before the party’s presidential campaign launch.
The state Commissioner for Lands and Housing, Nasiru Dantsoho, said the building originally belonged to the defunct Savannah Bank and that government records did not show any official transfer of ownership.
He explained that the government had written to the Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC), which he identified as the custodian of the property, to establish its current ownership.
According to him, the premises were sealed pending clarification from the NDIC and to prevent further disturbances following a reported confrontation involving political supporters.
However, the ADC disputed the circumstances surrounding the closure.
The party’s spokesperson, Phrank Shaibu, acknowledged that the property originally belonged to Savannah Bank but questioned the state government’s authority to take control of it.
He also disclosed that he visited the premises on Tuesday morning and found no physical restriction on access, although it remained unclear whether the government’s sealing order had been formally lifted.
Shaibu further said the party had approached the police, DSS and Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) over reported threats, adding that the security agencies had assured the ADC of protection against interference by the Sokoto Marshals.
Amnesty International Condemns Closure of ADC Office
The controversy has attracted criticism from human rights organisation Amnesty International.
The organisation condemned the Sokoto State Government’s decision to seal the ADC office, describing it as an attempt to suppress opposition activities and undermine freedom of association.
Amnesty argued that political parties should be allowed to operate freely without government actions that could restrict democratic participation.
The organisation’s intervention has further intensified scrutiny of the state government’s handling of the dispute.
Attack on ADC Governorship Candidate Deepens Political Tension
Atiku’s allegations also followed a reported confrontation involving the convoy of the ADC governorship candidate in Sokoto, Manir Muhammad Dan’iya.
The incident reportedly occurred around 9pm on Friday, October 30, near the Sultan Abubakar III International Airport.
Dan’iya alleged that personnel of the Sokoto Marshal and the state Community Guard blocked his convoy, fired gunshots and damaged one of his vehicles.
He also claimed that two DSS operatives attached to his security team were detained during the confrontation.
The ADC candidate reportedly escaped unharmed.
However, Sokoto State APC Chairman, Haruna Adiya, dismissed the allegations as fabricated and politically motivated.
He maintained that the security deployment was connected to preparations for a traditional title conferment ceremony and had nothing to do with the ADC’s political activities.
The Sokoto State Police Command confirmed that it was investigating the incident.
Police spokesperson, DSP Ahmed Rufai, said the command was aware of the confrontation and had commenced investigations to establish what happened and identify anyone responsible.
Atiku Accuses Tinubu Government of Weakening Opposition
Beyond the Sokoto controversy, Atiku accused President Bola Tinubu’s administration of concentrating more on weakening opposition parties than addressing Nigeria’s economic difficulties.
He alleged that the APC was using political intimidation, inducements and the absorption of opposition figures to reduce competition and gradually move the country towards a one-party system.
The former vice president cited rising food prices, transportation costs, fuel prices and electricity tariffs as evidence of the economic challenges confronting Nigerians.
He argued that the government should be defending its economic performance rather than allegedly frustrating opposition campaigns.
Atiku also promised that an ADC-led government would introduce policies to reduce the cost of living, stimulate local production, strengthen food security and create employment.
Among his proposals was a targeted production subsidy linked to fuel refined domestically, which he said would provide relief to consumers while supporting Nigerian industries.
Atiku Vows to Proceed With Sokoto Rally
Despite the controversy, Atiku insisted that the ADC would not abandon its campaign plans.
He confirmed that he would travel to Sokoto on Wednesday, November 4, to address party supporters and residents.
The rally, initially scheduled for October 31, was postponed following disagreements and logistical difficulties surrounding the party’s preparations.
Atiku urged ADC supporters and residents to remain peaceful, warning against provocations that could trigger violence or provide justification for restrictions on political activities.
He also called on security agencies to protect all residents, commuters and political participants without favouring any party.
The former vice president warned that security personnel found to have participated in suppressing democratic rights would be held accountable under the law.
DSS Yet to Publicly Address Allegations
As of the latest reports available on Tuesday, November 3, the DSS had not publicly issued a response specifically addressing Atiku’s allegation that its leadership was recruiting protesters to disrupt the ADC campaign launch.
The allegation has also not been independently verified.
The unfolding developments have raised fresh questions about political tolerance, the neutrality of security institutions and the protection of opposition parties as Nigeria moves towards the 2027 general election.
With the ADC insisting that its Sokoto campaign launch must proceed, attention is now focused on the security arrangements, the state government’s position and the ability of political parties to exercise their democratic rights without intimidation.
The outcome could become an important test of political tolerance and the credibility of Nigeria’s democratic institutions ahead of the 2027 elections.
