The African Democratic Congress (ADC) governorship candidate in Sokoto State, Manir Muhammad Dan’iya, has condemned an alleged attack on women and youths participating in a rally in support of the party’s leadership and his 2027 governorship ambition.
Dan’iya alleged that suspected supporters of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) disrupted the rally on Wednesday, leaving several participants injured and causing damage to vehicles and other property.
However, an APC chieftain, Malami Muhammad Galadanchi Bajare, denied the allegations, accusing ADC supporters of attacking members of the ruling party during the confrontation.
In a statement issued by his media aide, Aminu Abdullahi, Dan’iya said about 5,000 women and youths participated in the rally, which reportedly began around 10 a.m. in the Old Savannah Bank area before proceeding towards the ADC state secretariat.
He alleged that the procession was disrupted by individuals suspected to be APC supporters, resulting in injuries to some women, the tearing of some participants’ veils, damage to ADC vehicles and the theft of valuables.
The statement named Bajare, the Special Adviser to Governor Ahmed Aliyu on Rural Roads, and the APC Youth Leader, Abdulrashid Baraka, as individuals allegedly involved in leading or coordinating the attackers.
Dan’iya called on the police to investigate the incident and arrest anyone found culpable.
“There is absolutely no justification for attacking women who are exercising their democratic rights peacefully. Anyone who believes in democracy must condemn this shameful conduct without reservation,” he said.
The ADC candidate questioned why women participating in a political rally should allegedly become targets of violence, urging political leaders to restrain their supporters and allow opposition parties to carry out lawful activities without intimidation.
“The ADC will not be intimidated, and the political rights of our women will not be negotiated away. We demand justice for those injured, accountability for those responsible, and a clear commitment from the authorities that such attacks will not be repeated,” he added.
The Sokoto State Police Command confirmed that it had received information about the confrontation and deployed personnel to the scene.
The command’s spokesperson, DSP Ahmed Rufai, said officers were mobilised following a distress call and subsequently dispersed those involved.
He added that officers who arrived at the scene observed damage to some vehicles and other property.
Rufai said the command had commenced an investigation and was taking measures to prevent a recurrence.
He explained that the police had earlier met with political party chairmen to discuss security arrangements and the need to ensure peaceful political activities ahead of the 2027 general elections.
According to him, political parties were expected to notify the police of planned activities at least 48 hours before they commenced to enable adequate security arrangements.
He said the ADC had not officially notified the command of the rally before it took place.
The police spokesperson said the command had emphasised the need for coordination between political parties and security agencies during a meeting held on September 9.
He assured residents that the police would take the necessary measures to maintain peace and protect lives and property.
However, Bajare rejected the allegations against him and the APC, describing them as fabricated claims intended to damage the ruling party’s image and provide the opposition with political scapegoats.
He maintained that the APC’s Sokoto Central Senatorial District Zonal Office had existed for more than 12 years without its members being responsible for any breach of peace.
In a counter-allegation, Bajare accused ADC supporters of attacking APC youths and allegedly seizing two motorcycles, claiming that only one was subsequently returned.
He said personnel of the Nigeria Police Force and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps were present during the confrontation and could provide evidence of what transpired between the rival groups.
Efforts to reach the APC state chairman, Haruna Adiya, for his reaction were unsuccessful.
Adiya, who initially said he was unaware of the incident, promised to respond after a meeting but had yet to do so as of the time of filing this report.
Another APC chieftain in the state, Alhaji Abubakar Bashar, also dismissed the allegation that members of the ruling party had attacked ADC supporters.
“I don’t understand these allegations. We, as APC, do not have thugs, so how can they accuse us of using thugs to attack them?” he said.
Bashar suggested that the incident might have resulted from an internal disagreement within the ADC.
“I believe the problem they have should be between them. They should look inwards for what happened. Those who attacked them should be members of their party and not from us,” he added.
However, his claim that the alleged attackers were ADC members could not be independently verified.
The police investigation is expected to establish the circumstances surrounding the confrontation and determine whether anyone was responsible for the alleged violence and property damage.
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