2027 Politics Watch – Tuesday’s Roundup: From Sokoto’s security row to Zamfara’s rival winners

Atiku Abubakar accused the SSS of plotting to disrupt his Sokoto campaign launch, prompting a denial and an investigation.

Less than 24 hours before Atiku Abubakar was due to launch his presidential campaign in Sokoto, he accused Nigeria’s secret police of recruiting protesters to disrupt the event. The agency denied the allegation. The state government had already ordered the closure of a building his party used.

The three disputes arose in different circumstances, but each left a question for the authorities involved: the grounds for security restrictions in Sokoto, the original omission of candidates in Kano and the authority behind the conflicting Zamfara results.

Atiku’s allegation came as the African Democratic Congress (ADC) prepared to launch its presidential campaign in Sokoto on Wednesday, 4 November.

Addressing journalists on Tuesday, the former vice-president accused the State Security Service (SSS), also known as the State Security Service (SSS), of recruiting protesters to cause disturbances that could give the APC-controlled Sokoto State Government grounds to impose a curfew.

He identified an office behind Zenith Bank on Koko Road as one alleged assembly point and claimed that trucks were transporting protesters to different locations.

He also alleged that some protesters had begun obstructing traffic, threatening motorists and assaulting residents.

PREMIUM TIMES could not independently verify the claims.

The SSS rejected the allegation. Its spokesperson, Favour Dozie, said the agency’s director-general had ordered an investigation.

The agency cited its protection of the ADC’s Sokoto governorship candidate, Manir Dan’iya, during an attack it dated to 31 October. It said two officers were injured while evacuating him and that the candidate subsequently thanked its Sokoto director and requested additional security.

The SSS also referred to its prosecution of a man accused of threatening NDC presidential candidate Peter Obi as evidence that it protected politicians regardless of party affiliation.

Neither example addressed Atiku’s specific allegation that SSS personnel were recruiting protesters.

Mr Dan’iya had separately alleged that security personnel obstructed his convoy near Sokoto airport on 30 October, fired shots and damaged his vehicle.

He accused personnel of the Sokoto Marshals and the state Community Guard of involvement.

The Sokoto APC denied political intimidation, saying security deployments were connected to preparations for a traditional title conferment ceremony. Police announced an investigation.

It was not established whether the SSS account of an incident on 31 October referred to the same confrontation.

The dispute over security followed the state government’s decision to seal a building used by the ADC on Ahmadu Bello Way.

Commissioner for Lands and Housing Nasiru Dantsoho said government records identified the defunct Savannah Bank as the property’s owner, with no documented transfer.

He said the government had asked the Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC) to clarify ownership and ordered the premises sealed, citing security concerns.

Atiku’s campaign spokesperson, Phrank Shaibu, acknowledged Savannah Bank’s ownership but challenged the government’s authority to close the building.

He told PREMIUM TIMES that political parties had occupied the premises for about two decades, most recently the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Mr Shaibu said he visited on Tuesday morning and encountered no physical restriction.

He also said the campaign had reported threats to the police, DSS and Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps.

ADC National Publicity Secretary Bolaji Abdullahi separately warned the state government against interfering with opposition campaign activities.

Atiku insisted he would attend Wednesday’s launch. But Mr Shaibu said the party leadership had yet to announce a new venue.

The ADC had postponed the event from 31 October to 4 November. The disputed office has not been established as the intended launch venue.

In Kano, the dispute centres on the sequence of dates surrounding the exclusion of an opposition governorship ticket.

INEC cited a Federal High Court order to explain why it could not publish the names of Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) governorship candidate Aminu Abdussalam Gwarzo and his running mate, Mustapha Kwankwaso.

PREMIUM TIMES reported their omission on 11 October.

The application in the Federal High Court case was filed on 17 October, six days later. The interim order restricting changes to the candidates’ list followed later that month.