ADC keeps Sokoto rally venue secret over security concerns

The African Democratic Congress has kept the venue of its presidential campaign rally in Sokoto State secret ahead of Wednesday’s event, citing security concerns and alleged plans to disrupt the gathering.

The party said it had taken precautionary measures following reports of a plot to frustrate the rally scheduled for November 4. The development comes amid rising political tension in the state over the sealing of the party’s office, alleged attacks on its supporters and accusations of political interference by the ruling All Progressives Congress.

The spokesman for the ADC presidential campaign committee, Dahiru Maishanu, disclosed this in a telephone interview, saying the party had secured a venue but was awaiting clearance from its national headquarters before announcing the location.

Maishanu said the party had contacted the police and the Department of State Services over the alleged plot, adding that both security agencies had assured it of adequate protection during the rally.

He also disclosed that some party members had arrived in Sokoto ahead of the event and secured accommodation despite alleged restrictions by the state government on lodging arrangements for its guests.

On the sealing of the party’s state secretariat, Maishanu said its leaders had visited the state police command and were informed that the police were not aware of the closure. He added that the police assured them that the office remained accessible to the party, insisting that no quasi-security agency could independently seal a property without police involvement or a court order.

Meanwhile, the spokesman for the Sokoto State Police Command, DSP Ahmed Rufai, confirmed that the command had received an official request from the rally organisers for security coverage. He said the Commissioner of Police had directed the provision of adequate security for the event.

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