Sokoto State Seals ADC Office Amid Campaign Tensions
The Sokoto state government sealed an African Democratic Congress campaign office over a property dispute as presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar alleged state-sponsored disruption of his campaign.
The Government of Sokoto State sealed a campaign office of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) on November 2, 2026, citing an unresolved ownership dispute. Commissioner for Lands and Housing Nasiru Dantsoho stated that records indicate the property belongs to the defunct Savannah Bank and that the state is awaiting clarification from the Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation.
This action follows a period of escalating tension between the ADC and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). The ADC alleges that state-linked security outfits, including the Sokoto Marshal and Sokoto State Community Guard, attacked party supporters on October 28 and blocked the convoy of governorship candidate Manir Muhammad Dan’iya on October 30. The APC has dismissed these claims as fabrications, attributing security deployments to a traditional title ceremony.
ADC presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar further accused the State Security Service (SSS) and the state government of recruiting protesters to disrupt his campaign launch in Sokoto to justify imposing a curfew. Abubakar claimed the administration of President Bola Tinubu is attempting to weaken opposition parties ahead of the 2027 elections. Amnesty International condemned the office closure as an attempt to undermine freedom of association.
