ADC’s Struggle To Campaign In Sokoto: No Venue, No Hotels, Private Homes Offered As Rally Hangs In Balance

There was an air of uncertainty on Tuesday over whether the flag-off of the African Democratic Congress, ADC, presidential campaign in Sokoto State scheduled for Wednesday would be held as planned.

Daily Trust gathered that, as of Tuesday evening, the party was still struggling to secure a venue for the event, mobilise supporters, and make other basic logistical arrangements for the rally.

Our correspondents report that the event was initially scheduled for Saturday, October 31, but was shifted to Wednesday due to the alleged takeover of hotel bookings by the state government, which has denied the claim.

It was learnt that due to problems of logistics, some ADC leaders in the state offered their homes and guest houses to accommodate party leaders and other dignitaries arriving for the party’s presidential campaign flag-off.

Some party leaders confirmed this in separate interviews with our correspondents, saying they resorted to providing private accommodation after failing to secure hotel rooms for their guests.

Spokesman for the ADC governorship candidate in Sokoto State, Aminu Abubakar, said the party was yet to secure hotel accommodation, prompting members to volunteer their residences and guest houses.

“Some of them have offered their homes, while others have provided their guest houses to accommodate our visitors. That is where we are putting them up,” he said.

Another party chieftain, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said some prominent party leaders had already arrived in Sokoto ahead of the event, including the party’s National Secretary and former Osun State Governor, Rauf Aregbesola; Senator Dino Melaye; and the party’s governorship candidate in Kaduna State, Isa Ashiru Kudan.

The source added that more party leaders and dignitaries were expected to arrive Tuesday night or early Wednesday.

However, the party was yet to officially announce the exact venue of the rally as of the time of filing this report.

An unverified source claimed that the event would take place at the Trade Fair Complex, while another source said it would be held at the party’s office premises along Ahmadu Bello Way, which was recently sealed by the state government.

A source familiar with the arrangement alleged that the party had been asked to pay N20 million for the use of the Trade Fair Complex. According to the source, the party had agreed to the payment and requested the account details to enable it to transfer the money, but the details had yet to be provided.

Director-General of the ADC Governorship Campaign Council, Bello Muhammad Goronyo, when contacted for clarification on the arrival of party leaders and the venue of the event declined to comment, saying he was not aware of the arrival of the guests or where the presidential campaign flag-off would take place.

Meanwhile, another source said the disagreement surrounding the sealing of the party’s office had been resolved and that renovation work was carried out at the facility on Monday night.

We’re Going Ahead With Rally – Sokoto ADC

Despite the challenges, the ADC said it had concluded arrangements for its campaign flag-off.

The state Vice-Chairman of the party, Bello Isyaku Keegan, said the party had made transportation arrangements and other materials for supporters expected to attend the rally from various local government areas.

He said the party was optimistic that the event would be successful, adding that all arrangements had been concluded.

Keegan, however, declined to disclose the venue of the rally, citing fears of possible intimidation by the state government.

He said the party had arranged accommodation for some supporters within the Sokoto metropolis, while others had secured rooms in Birnin Kebbi to enable them to arrive early for the event.

“We have completed our preparations and distributed transport money and materials to our members coming from different local government areas. We expect tomorrow to be wonderful for us,” he said.

The media aide to the party’s governorship candidate, Aminu Abdullahi Abubakar, said meetings had been ongoing since Tuesday morning, while guests and other party supporters had continued to arrive in the state.

He said some residents had offered their personal houses and lodges to accommodate the visitors, adding that about six aircraft had arrived with guests from the Presidential Campaign Council and other states.

Abubakar said he could not confirm the total number of guests who had arrived as of the time of the interview but identified the Deputy Director-General, Administration of the PCC and former minister who is from the state, Yusuf Suleiman, as among the early arrivals.

On the controversy surrounding the use of the venue, he said former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar had written to the relevant authorities on Monday, requesting approval for the rally venue, but the party had yet to receive an acknowledgement as of Tuesday evening.

He alleged that after submitting the letter, the authorities closed the office, although it was reopened on Tuesday morning.

Abubakar further said the party was later informed that five Hilux vehicles conveying security operatives had been deployed to prevent the use of the venue after party members were seen entering the office earlier in the day.

According to him, the latest letter was the second request submitted by the party after Sokoto was selected as the venue for the campaign flag-off. He said the first request was rejected, prompting Senator Aminu Waziri Tambuwal to submit another letter on Monday.

Efforts to get reactions from the Sokoto State Government and the All Progressives Congress, APC, were unsuccessful, as the Commissioner for Information, Sambo Danchadi; the Governor’s Director-General of Media and Publicity, Abubakar Bawa; and the state APC Chairman, Haruna Adiya, could not be reached by phone.

Police Assure Peaceful Rally

The Sokoto State Police Command said it had deployed personnel across the state and gathered intelligence to ensure a peaceful rally.

The Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Ahmad Rufai, said the command had taken several measures to prevent any breakdown of law and order.

“We have done our deployment and gathered intelligence to ensure there is no breakdown of law and order. All hands are on deck to ensure that the flag-off takes place without violence, God willing,” he said.

On the sealing of the ADC campaign office, Rufai said the deployment of security personnel was necessary to prevent a possible clash arising from a dispute over ownership of the premises.