ADC hides Sokoto campaign venue over alleged DSS sabotage

The Department of State Services has ordered an immediate investigation into the allegations while maintaining its commitment to the protection of all political parties.

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has concealed the venue of its presidential campaign rally in Sokoto State over security concerns and allegations of planned disruptions by the Department of State Services (DSS).

This development comes amid rising political tensions, the sealing of the party’s state secretariat, and accusations of interference by the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

Spokesman for the ADC presidential campaign committee, Dahiru Maishanu, stated that the party had secured a location but delayed a public announcement pending clearance from its national headquarters.

He disclosed that the party had engaged the police and the Department of State Services (DSS), both of whom promised adequate protection for the gathering.

Spokesman for the Sokoto State Police Command, DSP Ahmed Rufai, confirmed that the Commissioner of Police had ordered maximum security for the political exercise.

Despite reported restrictions on hotel accommodations for guests by the state government, ADC members have continued arriving in the state.

In Abuja, the ADC National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, reiterated the party’s commitment to holding the rally without disruption. He accused agents of the ruling party of creating artificial hurdles, including frustrating the efforts of the opponent to charter private jets to transport members to Sokoto.

Abdullahi issued a warning to the state government, that the Governor would be held responsible for any violence against the opposition.

The ADC presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, escalated the tension by accusing the DSS of recruiting protesters to derail the campaign kickoff.

Addressing journalists at his Abuja residence, the former Vice-President alleged that the secret police intended to create a crisis that would justify the imposition of a state curfew.

“The information available to us is that the leadership of the Department of State Services is recruiting people to stage protests in Sokoto. The objective is to create disorder, give the APC-controlled state government a pretext to impose a curfew and prevent our campaign take off from holding as scheduled”.

Atiku also condemned the Tinubu-led administration, accusing it of focusing on weakening credible opposition rather than addressing the biting cost-of-living crisis facing Nigerians. He promised to introduce targeted production subsidies and support domestic industries if elected.

The DSS, in response denied the allegations and ordered a full investigation into the claims made by the elder statesman.

A statement released by the Deputy Director of Public Relations and Strategic Communications, Favour Dozie, described the accusations as inconsistent with the constitutional mandate of the agency.

The secret police reminded the public that its operatives recently rescued the ADC governorship candidate in Sokoto, Mannir Daniya, during a violent attack on October 31.

Dawn Herald reported that the rescue operation left two DSS personnel hospitalised with several degrees of injuries.

Meanwhile, the ADC has escalated the matter internationally, petitioning the United States, the United Kingdom, the European Union, and the Muslim World League. A civil society group, Arewa Transformational Leader, submitted the petitions on behalf of the party, demanding urgent diplomatic intervention over alleged attacks on opposition members by state-backed vigilantes.