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The presidential candidate of African Democratic Congress (ADC), Alhaji Atiku Abubakar has condemned Friday’s attacks on the presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), Omoyele Sowore, and the governorship candidate of ADC in Sokoto State, Manir Muhammad Dan’iya.
This is contained in a Saturday statement shared on the former Vice President’s X page.
Atiku described the incidents as deeply troubling and unacceptable, while accusing the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of attempting to intimidate opposition figures.
Atiku said, “The simultaneous attacks on the presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), Omoyele Sowore @sowore, and the governorship candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Sokoto State, His Excellency Manir Muhammad Dan’iya, are deeply troubling and unacceptable.
“These twin assaults expose the extent to which the ruling APC administration is prepared to oppress and intimidate opposition leaders and their supporters.”
Atiku said it was disturbing that while President Bola Tinubu is away on spiritual pilgrimage, political actors loyal to his party were allegedly unleashing terror on opponents at home.
“It is particularly disturbing that while President Bola Tinubu is away on spiritual pilgrimage, political enforcers and thugs loyal to his party are unleashing terror on his political opponents at home. These two realities cannot coexist in a democracy,” he said.
He linked the incidents to a broader pattern of shrinking civic space, citing attacks on opposition figures and the disappearance of critical social media influencers.
“The continued attacks on opposition figures and the unexplained disappearance of critical social media influencers are clear red flags of a dangerous slide toward a censored state where the opposition is crushed by the brute force of the current government,” he said.
The ADC presidential candidate noted that the attacks were unbecoming of a democratic government and signalled desperation.
“We therefore demand immediate and transparent investigations into both attacks. The Tinubu government must refrain from any attempt to muzzle the opposition and must guarantee a free, fair, and competitive contest in the forthcoming general elections,” he said.
He also alleged harassment of ADC supporters in Sokoto by a local security outfit.
“I have it on good authority that a local security outfit in Sokoto State has been harassing ADC supporters, manhandling citizens simply for wearing ADC merchandise,” he said.
In a statement on Saturday, the Ekiti State Police Command confirmed the attack on Sowore after initially dismissing the incident as an “altercation”.
Command spokesman, SP Sunday Abutu said the attack occurred on Friday afternoon at Tawakalitu Restaurant, Dalimore area of Ado-Ekiti, after a radio interview at MIDAS FM 90.5.
The command also announced the arrest of 11 suspects on Friday night at Atikankan area.
Sowore alleged the attackers came from the Government House and received operational support from the DSS, allegations that have not been independently verified.
In Sokoto, Dan’iya alleged his convoy was attacked around 9pm on Friday near the Sultan Abubakar III International Airport shortly after escorting former Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal to the airport.
According to his media aide, Aminu Abdullahi, personnel of the Sokoto Marshal and Sokoto State Community Guard Corps blocked his convoy, claiming to act on orders from above to stop ADC members from entering the state.
He alleged gunshots were fired, his bulletproof SUVs damaged and two DSS operatives attached to his team detained.
The Sokoto Police Command confirmed receiving the report and said investigation is ongoing.
The APC in Sokoto dismissed the claims as propaganda linked to preparations for a traditional title ceremony.
Atiku said, “We shall resist every ongoing attempt to cancel political opposition in Nigeria. The ruling APC has failed in its mandate. Nigerians must be allowed to freely participate in an electoral contest that will determine the fate of this administration.”
