Daud Olatunji
Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar has declared that no amount of alleged intimidation or obstruction will stop the African Democratic Congress from pursuing its presidential campaign ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Atiku, who spoke on Wednesday during the formal flag-off of his presidential campaign in Sokoto State, also pledged to tackle insecurity across the country if elected president.
The ADC presidential candidate called on Nigerians to support the party and vote for it in the 2027 elections, insisting that restoring security to every part of the country remained one of his major commitments.
He said, “I enumerated some of the promises I made to Nigerians. One of the promises is to make sure that security is restored in every part of this country.”
Atiku’s declaration came amid a brewing controversy over allegations that the Sokoto State Government and security operatives were planning to disrupt the opposition party’s campaign activities.
The former vice-president had, on Tuesday, accused the state government and the Department of State Services of allegedly plotting to frustrate the rally through the recruitment of protesters to cause disturbances and create a situation that could trigger the imposition of a curfew.
Speaking at a news conference in Abuja, Atiku also alleged that the ADC had been denied access to public facilities and logistical support needed for the campaign flag-off.
He described the alleged restrictions as a deliberate attempt to undermine the opposition party and deny it a level playing field in the build-up to the 2027 elections.
However, the DSS ordered an investigation into the allegations, with the agency saying the directive came from its Director-General.
The agency cited the October 31 incident involving the ADC governorship candidate in Sokoto, Mannir Daniya, whom it said its operatives evacuated to safety after he was attacked.
Despite the controversy surrounding the planned rally
Atiku proceeded with the campaign flag-off on Wednesday, declaring that the alleged attempts to frustrate the party would not derail its political activities.
He explained that Sokoto was deliberately selected to host the campaign’s formal commencement because of its historical significance and reputation for peace.
The former vice-president also recalled the promises he made to Nigerians during his previous presidential campaign, saying he was returning to renew his commitment to those pledges, particularly the restoration of security.
He urged Nigerians to come out en masse during the 2027 general elections and vote for the ADC, expressing confidence in the party’s political mission.
The Sokoto rally marks the formal commencement of Atiku’s presidential campaign activities in the state ahead of the 2027 general elections.
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