ADC-PCC CONDEMNS ATTACK ON SOKOTO GOVERNORSHIP CANDIDATE, DEMANDS ARREST OF PERPETRATORS
By Aminu Garko
Abuja, Oct. 31, 2026, The African Democratic Congress Presidential Campaign Council (ADC-PCC) has condemned the alleged brutal attack on its Sokoto State Governorship Candidate, Alhaji Munir Dan Iya, by operatives of the state-owned security outfit, known as the Sokoto Marshals.
The ADC-PCC, in a statement by its Director of Media and Publicity, Kola Ologbondiyan, said the attack occurred on Friday along Airport Road, Sokoto, as Dan Iya was returning to the city after accompanying former Governor of Sokoto State and Senator representing Sokoto South, Sen. Aminu Tambuwal, from the airport.
According to the council, several vehicles in the governorship candidate’s convoy were vandalised and extensively damaged by the armed operatives.
It said that since the incident, operatives of the same security outfit had been stationed at various historic gates into Sokoto metropolis, harassing motorists and targeting vehicles bearing ADC posters, insignia and other party symbols.
“In an even more alarming development, two Department of State Services (DSS) personnel attached to ADC governorship candidate were reportedly abducted by the Sokoto Marshals.
“The incident has been formally reported to the Sokoto State Commissioner of Police by Dan Iya himself. His personal SUV was also vandalised during the attack,” the council said.
It described the conduct as provocative, unacceptable and a dangerous descent into state-sponsored thuggery, noting that it was part of a disturbing pattern of political intimidation and violence against ADC members and opposition figures across the country.
“Only a few weeks ago, similar incidents were reported in Kaduna and other states. Sokoto has now become the latest theatre of this growing assault on democratic freedoms.
“The coordinated harassment and attacks against the ADC and other opposition voices constitute a grave violation of democratic principles and the constitutional guarantees of freedom of movement, association and peaceful political participation.
“We are particularly alarmed that a security outfit established and funded with taxpayers’ money is allegedly being transformed into a political militia for intimidating, harassing and attacking perceived political opponents.
“This is not governance. It is banditry in uniform, and it must not be tolerated in a democracy,” it said.
The council said the ADC would no longer sit back and watch its members, leaders and candidates being subjected to intimidation and violence anywhere in Nigeria.
“The era of taking our party for granted, threatening its members and attacking its political structures with impunity is over. This must be the last time such an attack is allowed to happen.
“While the ADC remains committed to peaceful political engagement and the rule of law, we are fully prepared to defend our members and protect their constitutional rights through every legitimate means available to us.
“No individual or group has a monopoly of violence, intimidation or lawlessness,” it added.
The ADC-PCC called on the Inspector-General of Police, the Sokoto State Commissioner of Police and all relevant security and intelligence agencies to immediately investigate the incidents, apprehend those responsible, secure the release of the two DSS personnel reportedly abducted and ensure that all perpetrators are brought to justice.
“We hereby give the relevant authorities 24 hours to rein in these rogue elements, secure the safety of our candidate and members, and commence decisive action to bring the perpetrators to justice.
“Failure to do so will leave the leadership of our party with no option but to take further decisive and lawful steps to protect its members, defend its political rights and safeguard our democracy.
“Nigeria cannot afford to descend into an era where state-funded security outfits are deployed as instruments of political persecution. The ADC will resist every attempt to silence the opposition through violence and intimidation,” it said.
