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Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar arrived in Sokoto State on Wednesday for the flag-off of his 2027 presidential campaign under the African Democratic Congress (ADC), amid allegations that security personnel attempted to prevent supporters from accessing the venue.
Atiku landed at the Sultan Abubakar III International Airport at about 1pm, accompanied by members of his presidential campaign team.
He was received by his running mate, Rotimi Amaechi; former Sokoto State Governor, Aminu Tambuwal; former Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami; Manir Dan’Iya; and other prominent ADC leaders.
Thousands of party supporters had gathered at the ADC state secretariat along Ilorin Road and adjoining streets to welcome the presidential candidate and participate in the campaign flag-off.
However, the atmosphere was marked by allegations of intimidation and attempts to restrict supporters’ movements.
One of the supporters, Abubakar Yusuf, alleged that personnel of the Sokoto Marshal and Sokoto State Community Guard Corps had been deployed to block roads leading into the city.
“They mobilised the Sokoto Marshal and Community Guard Corps to block roads leading to the town, but we overwhelmed them,” Yusuf claimed.
He maintained that the alleged restrictions had failed to discourage party supporters from attending the event.
Yusuf said the supporters remained determined to participate in the campaign despite what he described as attempts to frustrate their movement.
The allegations against the security organisations had not been independently verified.
The ADC scheduled the flag-off at its Sokoto State secretariat as part of preparations for the 2027 general elections.
The event is expected to bring together party leaders, political associates, grassroots coordinators and supporters as Atiku formally intensifies his presidential campaign.
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