Atiku accuses Sokoto Government, DSS of plotting to disrupt ADC rally

Former Vice President and presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Atiku Abubakar, has accused the Sokoto State Government and the Department of State Services (DSS) of working to frustrate his campaign in the state.

Atiku alleged that protesters are being mobilised to disrupt the planned rally of the party and force the imposition of a curfew.

Atiku, while addressing a news conference in Abuja on Tuesday, revealed an office behind Zenith Bank on Koko Road in Sokoto as the gathering point for the hired protesters. He stated that trucks stationed at the location were dispatching individuals to key roundabouts, where commuters were being threatened and beaten to create artificial gridlock.

Atiku alleged that the Department of State Services (DSS) was recruiting these protesters to create security disturbances that would justify a crackdown. He accused the security personnel involved of abandoning their professional duties for political interests, which according to him is a deliberate attempt to deny the ADC a level playing field.

“This is not intelligence work. It is political interference dressed in official uniform. Security agencies exist to protect Nigerians and uphold the law, not to recruit protesters or help a political party manufacture a crisis.”

He confirmed he would personally address the people of Sokoto at the rally on Wednesday, urging residents to maintain peace while calling on security agencies to protect citizens going about their lawful activities.

The former Vice President accused President Bola Tinubu’s administration of attempting to weaken opposition parties by absorbing their members into the All Progressives Congress (APC). He stated that the ultimate objective of this strategy is to reduce Nigeria to a one-party state in all but name.

The ADC candidate also alleged that the APC had resorted to these tactics after facing a disappointing turnout at its recent rally in Kaduna.

Atiku pledged if elected into office, his government would implement a targeted production subsidy linked to locally refined fuel to support domestic industries and ease the economic burden on consumers.