The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has reaffirmed its decision to hold its presidential campaign flag-off in Sokoto State on November 4, despite alleging intimidation, attacks on its members and attempts to frustrate the event.

The party’s Director-General of the Sokoto State Governorship Campaign Council, Bello Goronyo, disclosed this on Sunday while addressing journalists at the party’s secretariat in Sokoto.

He said the party remained determined to exercise its constitutional rights to freedom of association, peaceful assembly and political participation ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Goronyo alleged that the Sokoto State Government opposed the party’s initial plan to hold the rally on October 31 and subsequently mounted pressure on hotel operators to cancel accommodation arrangements made for delegates and supporters.

He claimed that some government-owned hotels declined to accommodate the party’s guests, while private hotel operators were allegedly threatened with the demolition of their properties if they failed to withdraw existing bookings.

The campaign director also accused government-linked security outfits of involvement in attacks on ADC members, including an alleged incident involving the party’s governorship candidate, Manir Dan’iya, at the Sultan Abubakar III International Airport on October 30.

According to him, the candidate’s vehicles were damaged and gunshots reportedly fired during the incident, while two Department of State Services personnel attached to his security detail were detained.

He called on the police and the DSS to investigate the incident and establish the circumstances surrounding the alleged actions of the security personnel.

Goronyo further alleged that ADC women supporters were attacked during a solidarity march on October 28, leaving some injured, while mobile phones were reportedly stolen and vehicles damaged.

He said the party’s state campaign office was also attacked on the same day, resulting in damage to its windows, doors and other property, while three motorcycles were destroyed.

The party additionally alleged that personnel of the Sokoto Marshals and Sokoto Community Guards had been instructed to prevent its supporters from entering the state ahead of the rally.

Goronyo urged the Inspector-General of Police and the Director-General of the DSS to investigate the reported incidents, protect party members and ensure that security agencies remained politically neutral.

However, the Sokoto State Government had earlier denied directing hotels to reject ADC delegates. The state chapter of the All Progressives Congress also attributed the reported accommodation difficulties to increased demand arising from preparations for a traditional title ceremony.

The ADC maintained that it would proceed with the November 4 event, urging supporters to remain peaceful and law-abiding while pursuing accountability through lawful means.

The party said the rally would demonstrate its commitment to political participation and its preparations for the 2027 general elections.