The African Democratic Congress (ADC) says it will proceed with its scheduled campaign in Sokoto despite what it described as growing political obstruction of its activities in the state.
Bolaji Abdullahi, national publicity secretary of the ADC, in a statement issued on Tuesday, accused the Sokoto state government of deliberately attempting to intimidate the opposition and undermine the democratic rights of Nigerians.
Abdullahi said the state governor would be held responsible if any violence was directed at the opposition in Sokoto.
โThe Sokoto State Government must understand that governing a state does not confer ownership. Public office is a temporary mandate from the people, not a licence to suppress political competition,โ the statement reads.
โNo governor has the power to decide which party can campaign, which candidate can speak, or which political choices the people of Sokoto are allowed to consider.
โWe call on the Sokoto State Government to immediately end all efforts to frustrate our lawful political activities and guarantee a level playing field for all political parties.
โWe also remind security agencies and other public institutions that their responsibility is to the Constitution and the Nigerian people, not to the political interests of the party in power.โ
The ADC spokesperson warned that public officials who abuse their authority and obstruct lawful political activities must be prepared to face the legal consequences of their actions under the law, no matter how long it takes.
โLet there be no misunderstanding. The ADC will campaign in Sokoto State. We will not be intimidated, obstructed or pushed out of any part of Nigeria simply because those in power are afraid of political competition,โ he said.
โDemocratic participation is not a privilege to be granted by a governor. It is a right guaranteed by the Constitution.โ
Abdullahi said the ruling partyโs growing intolerance of opposition activities demonstrated its fear of facing the electorate in a free and fair contest.
โIf the ruling party believes it has served the people well, it should have nothing to fear from an open contest,โ he said.
โIntimidation cannot manufacture public support, and obstruction cannot take away the peopleโs right to choose their leaders. The people of Sokoto, like all Nigerians, deserve the opportunity to listen to competing ideas and make their own decisions.โ
He called on party members, supporters and the people of Sokoto to remain peaceful and law-abiding, while insisting that ADC would continue to defend its right to campaign freely in every part of the country.
โThe future of Sokoto belongs to the people of Sokoto, not to any governor or political party. No government has the right to veto democracy,โ Abdullahi added.
The development follows the sealing of the partyโs campaign office by the state government over an alleged ownership dispute.
Nasiru Dantsoho, the state commissioner for lands and housing, announced the sealing of the building on Monday, saying the action followed a recent clash involving supporters of different political parties.
