By Dahiru Maishanu (maishanudahiru@gmail.com)
Ahead of the well-anticipated African Democratic Congress (ADC) Presidential Campaign Flag-off scheduled for Wednesday, 4th November, 2026 in Sokoto, there have been political tension in the state. Many would wonder why Sokoto, a state well-regarded as one of the most peaceful and traditionally recognized as the Seat of the Caliphate, would be caught in the news for the wrong reasons.
In the past weeks, Sokoto has witnessed some very disturbing moments caused by some elements under the safeguard and supervision of the Sokoto State Government. At the center of such political tensions is the All Progressives Congress (APC), whose government elements have continued to use public security for selfish gain, reducing it to an extension of party loyalty.
The most disturbing development is the attack carried out by operatives of the Sokoto State-owned security outfit, known as the Sokoto Marshals, on the African Democratic Congress governorship candidate, Alhaji Munir Muhammad Dan’Iya. The incident occurred on Friday night, October 30, when Dan’Iya was returning to the city after accompanying former Governor of Sokoto State and Senator representing Sokoto South, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, to the airport, when he came under attack and his motorcade was vandalised, including his personal Sports Utility Vehicle (S.U.V)
The Airport Road incident was only one part of the treatment members of the ADC have suffered, as many party supporters have been subjected to harassment, particularly motorists whose vehicles carry party posters, insignia, and other campaign materials. In fact, there have been moments when APC political thugs attacked women who were participating in a solidarity march from the same Savannah Bank Area to the ADC State secretariat and vandalized the party office around the housed at the same area.
These developments have presented the desperation of the Sokoto State Government and its party thus show casing them as a desperate group who believes the best way to remain in power is to cause chaos and political disorder ahead of the forthcoming governorship elections in the state.
Given the security challenges confronting Sokoto and other states in the Northwest, the APC led government has resulted in using security organisations as political tools as a way forward to remain in power beyond 2027. APC and its government agencies must understand that security personnel are representatives of public authority, not political boys.
One of the greatest tests of democratic leadership is the ability to tolerate political opposition. The APC-led government believes that the best way to demonstrate strength is by preventing its opponents from organizing rallies, displaying campaign posters, opening party offices, or mobilising supporters.
How on earth will a security organization established to complement conventional security agencies in promoting peace and security be allowed to operate outside its mandate? It is particularly disturbing when an organization funded with public resources is targeting people because of their political affiliation.
Public security can not be reduced to an extension of party loyalty, and Sokoto can not afford such a situation. The politics of fear and the APC’s growing anxiety is fast exposing it the weakest link. The question that should concern the APC establishment is why the emergence and growing political activities of the ADC should be the cause for tension and apprehension for the APC.
It is now evidently clear, that the ADC’s growing visibility in Sokoto is now the nightmare of the APC leadership as they are still struggling to march its political wizardry and sophistication as it is ably superintended by former Governor, Senator, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal as the leader. There is no gain saying that ADC as a party has acquired an influential political voice capable of challenging the existing APC political structure. Tambuwal is not an unfamiliar figure in Sokoto politics. He governed the state for eight years and subsequently became a senator representing Sokoto South.
His political experience, established networks, and understanding of the state’s political dynamics make his involvement in opposition politics significant. Similarly, the emergence of Dan’Iya as the ADC governorship candidate gives the party a political figure around whom its supporters can mobilize. For the APC, this development presents its leaders as the last kicking of an old horse and not simply to be wished away, except they resist through political intimidation.
If APC is confident in its achievements and political popularity, it should have little reason to fear the presence of another party like ADC. Indeed, a government that believes in its record should be able to compete through an electioneering process.
One fundamental problem with Nigerian politics is the tendency of some political actors to confuse control of government with ownership of the state. Winning an election gives a political party the constitutional authority to govern for a defined period. It does not confer ownership of public institutions, security agencies, public spaces, or the political rights of citizens.
The world should know that APC only controls Sokoto State Government temporarily, and the APC leadership should know that the state belongs to all its residents and must recognise this distinction. The 2027 general elections will provide another opportunity for residents to evaluate the performance of political parties and determine who deserve their votes.
ADC manifestoes are well-articulated, clear policies on insecurity, education, healthcare, unemployment, and agriculture that will be unveiled at the scheduled presidential campaign flag-off in Sokoto on Wednesday.
The APC should not mistake the use of state power for political strength. Neither should it assume that frustrating opposition activities will guarantee electoral success.
If APC believes it has performed well in Sokoto and knows that in democracy, the ultimate verdict belongs to the people, then why use security marshals, political godfathers, or occupants of government offices to cause intimidation? Sokoto belongs to all its people. Its democracy must belong to all of them, too.
Maishanu is a former Commissioner of Information, Sokoto State
