By Mohammed Abubakar

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has accused the Sokoto State Government of instructing hotels in Sokoto to deny accommodation to its delegates ahead of its presidential campaign flag-off scheduled for Saturday.

The party alleged that both government-owned and privately-owned hotels in the town had been booked, with delegates told that there were no rooms available from Tuesday through Sunday, in a move allegedly aimed at frustrating the event.

The Presidential Campaign Spokesperson, Dahiru Maishanu, made the allegation in a statement issued on Wednesday in Sokoto, describing the action as unbecoming and irresponsible.

Maishanu said it was condemnable for the state government to instruct hotels to deny paying citizens the right to stay in their hotels, and equally condemnable to evict customers who had already paid and were currently staying. 0db3

He said the state government’s action smacked of executive rascality and unwarranted partisanship by the state government and its agents. 0db3

According to him, hotels had been informing delegates that they were fully booked from Monday through Sunday to effectively prevent reservations, while evicting those that had paid and were living in the hotels. 0db3

He insisted that no amount of intimidation and harassment would deter party members from attending the flag-off from all over the country. 0db3

Maishanu assured Nigerians that the flag-off would take place on schedule, with the Presidential candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, the State Party leader, Senator Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, and other party leaders and members in attendance. 0db3

He said delegates were arriving Sokoto from different parts of the country for the ceremony, despite the alleged accommodation challenges.

As at the time of filing this report, efforts to get the reaction of the Sokoto State Government to the allegation were yet to yield result.

The ADC campaign flag-off, scheduled for Saturday, October 31, 2026, is expected to formally kick-start Atiku Abubakar’s presidential campaign for the 2027 general election in Sokoto.

By Our Correspondent

Barely 90 days to 2027 election, the forum of state chairmen of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), has expressed outrage over alleged reports of escalating threats, attacks, abductions, killings, unlawful detentions and destruction of property targeting at members, leaders, candidates, executives and supporters in Ebonyi State.

Making this declaration at Press conference in Abakaliki on Tuesday, the chairman of the forum, Hon. Austin Nwachukwu and Imo State chairman of the party, flanked by other states’ chairmen, said the reported incidents combined with restrictions to PDP activities and the impartiality of the security agencies in the state, raise serious questions on citizens safety, freedom of association and the integrity of the political environment ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The forum called on Governor Francis Nwifuru, Police, Department of State Services(DSS), National Security Adviser, President Bola Tinubu, and international community to take urgent coordinated action to protect lives, investigate the reports and preserve democratic freedom in Ebonyi State.

“Democracy is under siege in Ebonyi. No Governor owns the state, no political party owns the people, no public office holder or office confers a license to intimidate, assault or silence citizens.

“The forum of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) of state chairmen, expresses profound outrage of reports of escalating threats, attacks, abductions, killings, unlawful detentions and destruction of property targeting PDP leaders, candidates, executives and supporters in Ebonyi State.

“The reported incidents combined with restrictions to PDP activities and concerned with the impartiality of the security agencies, raise serious questions citizens safety, freedom of association and the integrity of the political environment ahead of the 2027 general elections.

“We therefore call on Ebonyi State Governor, His Excellency Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru, the Nigeria Police Force, the Department of State Services(DSS), the National Security Adviser, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and international community to take urgent coordinated action to protect lives, investigate the allegations and preserve democratic freedom in Ebonyi State.

“Political disagreement must never become a justification for violence and no Nigerian should suffer intimidation for belonging to a political party.

“On 1st August, 2026, PDP members attending a rally in Idembia, Ezza South Local Government Area of the state, were attacked leaving ten persons officially injured. A vehicle conveying journalists and vehicles belonging to PDP members were attacked

“On the 4th of August, 2026, the residence of 73 years old PDP stalwart, Chief Christopher Ngwuta was attacked in Amaezekwe, Ezza South Local Government Area of the state. His wife, Mrs. Blessing lost a four months old pregnancy following the trauma she went through.

“On 16th August, 2026, Hon Felix Igboke, PDP House of Representatives candidate for Ohaozara, Onicha and Ivo federal constituency, and his aides were attacked while attending a Catholic Women August meeting at Christ the King Catholic parish, Abaomege in Onicha Local Government Area of the state.

“On 9th September, 2026, a notorious gang attacked the business premises of a PDP youth leader, Mr. Arinze Oyibe and destroyed goods worth several millions of naira and assaulted a pregnant woman. The attack also occurred in Abaomege in Onicha Local Government Area of the state.

“On the 19th September, another armed group disrupted a PDP political and economic summit in Geneza hotel, Abakaliki the state capital injuring participants and robbed attendees of various valuable property”, Nwachukwu said.
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Abdullateef Bamgbose

The Senate struggled to form a quorum on Tuesday and Wednesday as a significant number of lawmakers stayed away from the chamber, with political campaigns reportedly taking precedence over legislative activities.

The development left the Red Chamber largely empty on the two days, raising concerns over the commitment of lawmakers to their constitutional responsibilities as political activities ahead of the 2027 general elections intensify.

The absence of senators affected proceedings as the chamber battled to secure the required number of lawmakers to conduct its business.

The development came shortly after the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) lifted the ban on campaign activities, paving the way for political parties and candidates to intensify their campaigns ahead of the 2027 elections.

Many serving lawmakers are expected to seek re-election, while others are believed to be pursuing different political ambitions, resulting in increased participation in campaign activities across the country.

However, the growing involvement of lawmakers in campaigns has raised questions about the impact of political activities on legislative duties
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The National Assembly is constitutionally mandated to make laws, exercise oversight over the executive and consider matters affecting the welfare and development of the country.
The apparent absence of lawmakers from plenary at a critical period has therefore triggered concerns about the ability of the Senate to effectively discharge its constitutional responsibilities.

Political campaigns are an essential component of the democratic process, but lawmakers are expected to remain available to perform their legislative duties until the expiration of their mandates.

The situation could further fuel public criticism of elected representatives who seek fresh mandates while allegedly neglecting the responsibilities attached to their current offices.

With the 2027 elections drawing closer, the Senate may face increasing pressure to maintain legislative productivity while its members engage in campaigns across their constituencies.