The presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Atiku Abubakar, has arrived in Sokoto State for the party’s presidential campaign flag-off ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Atiku arrived at the Sultan Abubakar III International Airport at about 1pm on Wednesday, accompanied by members of his campaign team.
He was received by his running mate, Rotimi Amaechi; former Sokoto State Governor, Aminu Tambuwal; former Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami; Manir Dan’Iya and other party leaders.
Thousands of ADC supporters also gathered at the party’s state secretariat along Ilorin Road and adjoining roads to welcome the former Vice-President ahead of the campaign event.
Speaking with Punch, a supporter, Abubakar Yusuf, said alleged attempts to intimidate party members would not stop them from participating in the rally.
Yusuf alleged that personnel of the Sokoto Marshal and the Sokoto State Community Guard Corps had been mobilised to block roads leading into the town.
“They mobilised the Sokoto Marshal and Community Guard Corps to block roads leading to the town, but we overwhelmed them,” he said.
The campaign flag-off comes amid tension between the ADC and the Sokoto State Government over allegations of restrictions on the party’s activities and attempts to disrupt its mobilisation.
The party had earlier kept the rally venue secret, citing security concerns, before announcing that the event would hold at its state secretariat along Ilorin Road.
