2027 Politics Watch: From Atiku’s Sokoto rally to Obi’s convoy attack

Atiku Abubakar launched his presidential campaign in Sokoto after days of controversy over access and security, while police arrested a suspect following an attack on Peter Obi’s convoy in Calabar.

A day after Atiku Abubakar accused security authorities of plotting to disrupt his presidential campaign launch in Sokoto, he addressed supporters at the event on Wednesday. In Calabar, the convoy of another opposition presidential candidate, Peter Obi, came under attack, with a suspect arrested.

President Bola Tinubu withdrew an earlier external borrowing request and submitted a $7.7 billion replacement, drawing criticism from Atiku, who was simultaneously renewing his promise to make fuel and other essentials more affordable.

Seyi Makinde unveiled his presidential manifesto, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) sought international assistance against election-related disinformation, and court rulings affected leadership and nomination arrangements in two opposition parties.

Atiku addressed supporters at the ADC presidential campaign launch at the party’s state secretariat on Ilorin Road, Sokoto, accompanied by senior party figures, including his running mate, Rotimi Amaechi, former Sokoto governor Aminu Tambuwal and former Attorney-General of the Federation Abubakar Malami.

He promised to tackle insecurity and reopen land borders for legitimate trade, while renewing his argument that government intervention could reduce the cost of living.

The Ilorin Road venue differs from the premises on Ahmadu Bello Way that the Sokoto State Government ordered sealed. Officials cited Savannah Bank’s ownership of the property and security concerns, while the ADC accused the government of political intimidation.

On Tuesday, Atiku alleged that the State Security Service (SSS) was recruiting protesters to disrupt the launch and create grounds for a curfew. The agency denied the allegation and announced an investigation.

The launch went ahead, although the allegations surrounding its preparations remained unresolved.

In a subsequent statement published on Mr Atiku’s verified X account, the campaign said the motorcade took three and a half hours to reach the venue because of the crowds.

Mr Shaibu portrayed the reception as a rejection of the Tinubu administration’s economic policies and support for the ADC’s affordability programme.

The campaign’s economic message centred on a targeted, production-based subsidy for qualifying petroleum products refined in Nigeria.

The proposal predates Wednesday’s rally, but earlier written answers from Mr Shaibu to PREMIUM TIMES provide some indication of how the campaign intends to implement it.

Mr Shaibu said domestic refineries, including modular plants, could qualify for support. One proposed mechanism would supply crude oil below market prices, with the difference treated as a production subsidy.

He described a budgeted programme with spending limits and independent audits, adding that lower consumer prices would be a condition for receiving support.

The explanation did not specify the crude discount, eligible volumes, annual spending ceiling or formula for passing savings to consumers. Wednesday’s statement supplied no additional figures.

Supplying crude below market prices would entail a fiscal cost or forgone revenue, depending on how the arrangement is structured. The discount, eligible volumes and pricing rules would determine the programme’s cost and how much of the benefit reaches consumers.

While the ADC celebrated its Sokoto outing, the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) faced a security incident during its presidential campaign activities in Cross River State.

The convoy of its presidential candidate, Peter Obi, was attacked near Watt Market Roundabout in Calabar at approximately 2.20 p.m., according to the police.

The convoy was returning from the palace of the Obong of Calabar towards the Metropolitan Hotel, where the party was holding a presidential town hall meeting.

In a statement reported by TheCable, police spokesperson Eitokpah Sunday Akata said suspected attackers armed with machetes and sticks emerged from the Calabar Road and Clerks Alley area and damaged vehicle windscreens.

Officers arrested a 27-year-old suspect, Victor Edet Yellow Duke, while other suspected participants escaped.

The police said the number of damaged vehicles was still being established. Commissioner of Police Ajo Ordue ordered an investigation, and the command cautioned that the arrest did not establish the suspect’s guilt.

PUNCH reported that stones, bottles and other objects were thrown at the convoy and that some NDC supporters sustained injuries. The reported injuries were not independently confirmed in the police statement.

Mr Obi accused APC supporters of involvement, but police have not established the attackers’ party affiliations or any political sponsorship.

Earlier on Wednesday, security personnel had intervened during a separate confrontation involving NDC participants and APC supporters near the Metropolitan Hotel on Murtala Mohammed Highway.

Police described the earlier incident as an encounter between two groups whose routes converged. At the time, reports placed Mr Obi and his running mate, Rabiu Kwankwaso, away from the hotel.

The confrontation and the convoy attack occurred at different locations. Police have not established whether they were connected.

The incidents coincided with a separate directive from Inspector-General of Police Olatunji Disu, ordering commissioners nationwide to prevent and investigate the destruction of political posters and billboards and pursue suspected sponsors where evidence supports their involvement.

There is no established connection between that directive and the Calabar attack.