ADC Alleges Political Violence in Sokoto, Demands Arrest of Marshals Over Attack on Dan Iya

The African Democratic Congress Presidential Campaign Council (ADC-PCC) has strongly condemned what it described as an unprovoked, brutal and cowardly 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 attack reportedly occurred yesterday along Airport Road, Sokoto, as Dan Iya was returning to the city after accompanying former Governor of Sokoto State and Senator representing Sokoto South, Senator Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, from the airport.

According to the ADC-PCC, several vehicles in the governorship candidate’s convoy were vandalised and extensively damaged by the armed operatives.

The council expressed further concern that, since the incident, operatives of the same security outfit had been stationed at various historic gates into Sokoto metropolis, where they allegedly harassed motorists and targeted vehicles bearing ADC posters, insignia and other party symbols.

In an even more disturbing development, two Department of State Services (DSS) personnel attached to the 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 last night.

The ADC-PCC described the incident as reprehensible, provocative and unacceptable, saying it represented a dangerous descent into state-sponsored thuggery.

It further described the development as part of a disturbing pattern of political intimidation and violence against ADC members and opposition figures across the country.

The council recalled that similar incidents had been reported in Kaduna and other states a few weeks ago, adding that Sokoto had now become the latest theatre of what it described as a growing assault on democratic freedoms.

It maintained that the coordinated harassment and attacks against the ADC and other opposition voices constituted a grave violation of democratic principles and the constitutional guarantees of freedom of movement, association and peaceful political participation.

The council also expressed alarm that a security outfit established and funded with taxpayers’ money was 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,” the statement declared.
The ADC-PCC warned that the party would no longer remain silent while its members, leaders and candidates were subjected to intimidation and violence anywhere in Nigeria.

It insisted that the era of taking the party for granted, threatening its members and attacking its political structures with impunity was over.
“This must be the last time such an attack is allowed to happen,” the council stated.

While reaffirming the ADC’s commitment to peaceful political engagement and the rule of law, the council said it was fully prepared to defend its members and protect their constitutional rights through every legitimate means available.

It further stressed that no individual or group had a monopoly of violence, intimidation or lawlessness.

The ADC-PCC therefore 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 were brought to justice.

The council gave the relevant authorities 24 hours to rein in the alleged perpetrators, guarantee the safety of its candidate and members, and commence decisive action to bring those responsible to justice.

It warned that failure to act within the stipulated period would leave the party’s leadership with no option but to take further decisive and lawful steps to protect its members, defend its political rights and safeguard democracy.

The council stressed that Nigeria could not afford to descend into an era where state-funded security outfits were deployed as instruments of political persecution.

It reiterated that the ADC would resist every attempt to silence the opposition through violence and intimidation.
Signed:
Kola Ologbondiyan
Director, Media and Publicity
ADC Presidential Campaign Council (ADC-PCC)