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Ex-vp accuses DSS, Sokoto APC of moves to disrupt campaign flag-off •Obi warns governors against electoral manipulation •PDP alleges harassment of candidates, petitions IGP •Edo ADC, NDC accuse APC of violence, destruction of campaign materials
From Ndubuisi Orji and Adesuwa Tsan, Abuja, and Ighomuaye Lucky, Benin
Ahead of the 2027 general elections, former Vice President and presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Atiku Abubakar, the Peter Obi Media Office (POMR) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have raised the alarm over alleged intimidation of opposition politicians, interference with campaign activities and moves to manipulate the electoral process.
The allegations, coming from different opposition camps, have heightened concerns over the political atmosphere ahead of the polls, with Atiku accusing the Department of State Services (DSS) and the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led government in Sokoto State of plotting to disrupt the flag-off of his presidential campaign, while Obi’s media office warned state governors against alleged plans to rig the elections.
The PDP, in a separate development, disclosed that it had petitioned the Inspector-General of Police, Tunji Disu, and other security agencies over alleged harassment of its candidates in some states, as the ADC and Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) in Edo State accused the ruling APC of attacks on opposition members, destruction of campaign materials and threats against political opponents.
The allegations have not been independently established, while the Edo State APC said it would respond after reviewing the complaints against its members and leadership.
At a press briefing in Abuja yesterday, Atiku alleged that the DSS was recruiting protesters to create disturbances in Sokoto, which could provide the state government with an excuse to impose a curfew and prevent the ADC from holding its campaign rally.
He accused the APC of attempting to frustrate opposition activities and undermine political competition, insisting that his party would resist intimidation and proceed with the planned campaign flag-off.
According to him, public facilities had been denied to the opposition party and logistical arrangements obstructed as part of what he described as a coordinated effort to prevent the ADC from mobilising supporters in Sokoto.
“What is unfolding in Sokoto is not ordinary political competition. It is a calculated campaign to frustrate the African Democratic Congress, obstruct our campaign and deny Nigerians the freedom to choose. Public facilities that should be available to every political party for legitimate campaign activities have been blocked. Logistical support has been withheld. These are not harmless administrative delays. They are deliberate attempts to deny the ADC a level playing field.”
Atiku alleged that security operatives were involved in mobilising protesters to create a situation that could justify the imposition of a curfew.
“More disturbing still, the information available to us is that the leadership of the Department of State Services is recruiting people to stage protests in Sokoto. 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 as scheduled,” he alleged.
Atiku further claimed that some of those allegedly recruited for the protests were assembled at an office behind Zenith Bank on Koko Road, from where trucks were being dispatched to strategic locations in the state capital.
“We know where some of these protesters are assembled: an office behind Zenith Bank on Koko Road. Trucks are stationed there and dispatched to key points, including the roundabout. These mobilised protesters are causing gridlock. Commuters are being threatened and, in some cases, beaten. Some of the protesters have moved away from the roundabout to find shade.”
He accused security agencies of departing from their constitutional responsibilities by allegedly interfering in political activities, warning that partisan conduct by security operatives could undermine public confidence in the electoral process.
“This is not intelligence work. It is political interference dressed in official uniform. Security agencies exist to protect Nigerians and uphold the law, not to recruit protesters or help a political party manufacture a crisis. I call on every officer involved to stop immediately and return to the constitutional duty of impartial service,” he stated.
Atiku also accused the Tinubu administration of devoting more attention to weakening opposition parties than addressing the economic and social challenges confronting Nigerians.
He alleged that the APC was pursuing a strategy of absorbing opposition politicians, restricting political competition and gradually turning Nigeria into a one-party state.
“For three and a half years, the Tinubu administration has devoted too much energy to weakening credible opposition and too little to solving the problems facing Nigerians. It has pursued a politics of absorption and intimidation, while drawing former opposition figures into the APC and narrowing the space for political competition. The aim is to reduce Nigeria to a one-party state in all but name,” he alleged.
The ADC presidential candidate maintained that the economic hardship facing households and businesses should be the central issue in the administration’s engagement with voters rather than alleged attempts to frustrate opposition campaigns.
“The government is afraid of the people’s verdict. It has unleashed a crushing cost of living crisis and now appears determined to frustrate Nigerians’ democratic right to choose a different path. Food, transport, fuel, electricity and other essentials have become unaffordable for millions. Families are struggling to feed their children, pay school fees and keep their businesses alive. That is the record this government should be defending before the people, instead of trying to stop a rally.”
Atiku also criticised what he described as the poor turnout at the APC’s recent campaign flag-off in Kaduna, claiming that it reflected declining public confidence in the ruling party.
“The APC has still not recovered from the abysmal failure of its last rally in Kaduna. It should have taken that as a warning that Nigerians are withdrawing their confidence. Instead, it has chosen intimidation and obstruction. These are the last kicks of a dying horse. The more this government tries to silence the people, the clearer it becomes that it has already lost their confidence,” he said.
Atiku insisted that the ADC would not allow alleged administrative obstacles or interference by security agencies to derail its campaign.
“The ADC will resist every gimmick, administrative roadblock and underhand manoeuvre designed to exclude the opposition or impose a one-party reality on Nigeria. We will not be intimidated into silence or irrelevance. Our campaign will proceed, and I will be in Sokoto tomorrow, God willing, to address the good people of the state,” he declared.
In a related development, the Peter Obi Media Office warned state governors against alleged covert moves to manipulate the 2027 elections, declaring that Nigerians would resist any process that undermined their right to freely choose their leaders.
In a statement issued by its spokesman, Indris Zekeri Jnr, POMR accused some governors of seeking to retain power through electoral manipulation rather than presenting convincing records of service, performance and achievements.
The office described the alleged moves as signs of desperation, maintaining that political office holders who had failed to deliver good governance should be prepared to face the verdict of the electorate.
“The Media Office reminds the governors that, regardless of their fraudulent efforts, they are presenting a poor product, and Nigerians will select the best option available in the market.
“We therefore condemn the increasing desperation of these governors, who, instead of presenting their records of service, performance, and achievements, are turning to electoral manipulation and safeguards for rigging,” the statement read.
POMR maintained that leadership was a privilege earned through service and public confidence rather than a mandate to retain power through deceit, intimidation or interference with democratic institutions.
“Nigerians have had enough and remain determined to reject undeserving leaders who have failed them,” it said.
Describing the 2027 elections as a defining moment for Nigeria, the office insisted that attempts to manipulate the process would not permanently suppress the wishes of the electorate.
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“Let it be known that no degree of rigging, intimidation, or political manoeuvring can permanently silence the will of the people,” the statement added.
The media office also reaffirmed its support for the presidential ambition of former Anambra State Governor, Peter Obi, describing him as its preferred candidate because of what it considered his leadership qualities.
“Peter Obi continues to be the people’s preferred choice because he embodies the strongest offering in the political arena: a leader defined by competence, capacity, character, compassion, and commitment, capable of raising Nigeria from its current condition and restoring its dignity, prosperity, and hope,” it stated.
POMR urged Nigerians to remain committed to the democratic process, stressing that the ultimate authority to determine political leadership rested with the electorate.
“The mandate rests with the people. Nigeria must function again, and it will be OK,” the statement said.
Similarly, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has condemned alleged intimidation and harassment of its candidates in some states, warning that such actions were unacceptable and could undermine political competition ahead of the elections.
The party, whose national leadership is backed by Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, raised the concern during a meeting of its national leadership with state chairmen at the PDP National Secretariat, Wadata Plaza, Abuja.
National Chairman, Abdulraham Mohammed, expressed confidence that the party’s candidates would emerge victorious in the various elections, while commending state chapters for successfully conducting the nomination exercises.
“I want to use this opportunity to also appreciate the state chairman across the federation for the successful nomination of our candidate of the state assembly, House of Representative, and that of Senate, and that of governorship across the 36 states.
“I want to thank you for making sure that we have a smooth process across the 36 states to enable us to come out with this successful candidate, which is our prayer that, in sha Allah, come 2027, our candidate will make it in all positions that they are vying for,” Mohammed stated.
However, Chairman of the Forum of PDP State Chairmen, Austin Nwachukwu, informed the party leadership that candidates nominated for the elections were allegedly being harassed and intimidated in some states.
“We have painstakingly produced very good candidates for the forthcoming elections and this is not going well with the governors of some states,” Nwachukwu said.
He disclosed that the party had petitioned the Inspector-General of Police, Tunji Disu, and other security agencies over the alleged intimidation, seeking their intervention to protect its candidates and ensure a level playing field.
Meanwhile, in Edo State, the ADC and NDC have accused the ruling APC of orchestrating political intimidation, violence, attacks on opposition members and destruction of campaign materials across the state.
At a joint press conference in Benin City, Edo State NDC Chairman, David Olukoga, and his ADC counterpart, Tony Alile, alleged that their parties’ offices, campaign billboards, private properties and supporters had been targeted in different parts of the state.
The opposition leaders warned that the alleged attacks could undermine peaceful political participation and the conduct of credible elections if not urgently addressed.
Olukoga alleged that the NDC secretariat in Ikpoba-Okha Local Government Area had been vandalised, while campaign billboards belonging to the party’s candidates, Bawa Mohammed Qaleeph and Frank Uyi Omosigho, had been destroyed.
He further claimed that party members and structures had come under attack in several communities, while commercial transport operators and business owners had allegedly been threatened with sanctions for allowing opposition parties to display campaign materials on their properties or use their facilities for political gatherings.
The NDC chairman maintained that such actions could discourage citizens from exercising their constitutional rights to freedom of association and political participation.
Similarly, Alile alleged that ADC leaders and supporters had been subjected to attacks, citing an incident involving former Edo State Governor, John Odigie-Oyegun, and Peter Obi, during which vehicles and other properties were reportedly damaged.
He also raised concerns over an alleged attack on the residence of former Edo State Governor, Oserhieme Osunbor, as well as the destruction of ADC campaign materials in different parts of the state.
The ADC chairman recalled an alleged attack on party chieftain, Kenneth Imansuangbon, at Igueben on October 6, 2026, during which a young man identified as Jerry Oliha was reportedly shot.
Alile also condemned alleged threats attributed to the Edo State APC Chairman, Jarrett Tenebe, including purported remarks about the use of AK-47 rifles against persons who refused to support the ruling party in the 2027 general elections.
He maintained that political disagreements should not become grounds for intimidation or violence, warning that inflammatory statements and attacks on opponents could heighten tension as the elections approached.
Both opposition leaders called on the APC leadership to prevail on its members and supporters to refrain from actions capable of undermining peace and political stability in the state.
They disclosed that complaints concerning the alleged incidents had already been lodged with the Commissioner of Police and the Department of State Services, while demanding impartial investigations and prosecution of persons found culpable.
The ADC and NDC also called for neutrality on the part of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), adequate security for political activities and a level playing field for all parties and candidates.
Olukoga and Alile urged their members and supporters to remain peaceful, avoid provocation and continue mobilising support through lawful democratic means, insisting that Edo residents must be allowed to choose their leaders without intimidation.
Reacting to the allegations, Edo State APC Publicity Secretary, Peter Uwadia, said the party would first obtain full details of the issues raised by the two opposition parties before making its position known.
“I cannot be reacting to an issue I don’t have full information about. I need to have first-hand information of what they discussed at that meeting so that I can react appropriately,” Uwadia said.
He assured that the APC would review the allegations and respond appropriately.
