Atiku Abubakar, the 2027 presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress, has accused the State Security Service and the Sokoto State government of attempting to frustrate the party’s presidential campaign take-off in the North-Central state on Wednesday.

Mr Abubakar, who made the allegation in an address on Tuesday, accused the government and the SSS of attempts to impose a curfew and frustrate the party.

“I even understand that some of the security chiefs were in Sokoto yesterday. More disturbing still, the information available to us is that the leadership of the Department of the State Security Service is recruiting people to stage protest in Sokoto State. 

“The objective is to create disorder, give the APC-controlled state government a pretext to impose a curfew and prevent our campaign take-off from holding on schedule,” the politician said.

Mr Abubakar, who expressed concern over the unfolding development in the state ahead of its campaign launch, also alleged attempts to deny Nigerians the fundamental opportunity to choose their leaders freely.

“I address you today with a heavy but resolute heart. What is unfolding in Sokoto State is not ordinary political competition. It’s a calculated campaign to frustrate the African Democratic Congress, obstruct our campaign, and deny Nigerians the freedom to choose,” he added.

The ADC chieftain further alleged that public facilities and logistical support deserving of the opposition party have been withheld.

Mr Abubakar noted, “Public facilities that should be available to every political party for legitimate campaign activities have been blocked in Sokoto State. Logistical support has been withheld. These are not harmless administrative delays; they are deliberate attempt to deny the ADC a level playfield.”

The Sokoto government did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The SSS, however, could not be reached for comment on Mr Atiku’s allegations.

The development came a day after the Sokoto government announced that it had sealed the ADC office in the state.

The commissioner for lands and housing, Nasiru Dantsoho, said records showed that the building belonged to the defunct Savannah Bank, with no recorded transfer of ownership.

Mr Dantsoho added that the government had written to the Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC) seeking clarification while citing a recent confrontation involving political supporters.