ADC-PCC condemns attack on its guber candidate in Sokoto

• Demands arrest, prosecution of perpetrators

By Lateef Ibrahim, Abuja

The African Democratic Congress Presidential Campaign Council (ADC-PCC) has, strongly, condemned the unprovoked, brutal and cowardly attack on its Sokoto State Governorship Candidate, Alhaji Munir Dan Iya, by operatives of the state-owned security outfit, known as the Sokoto Marshals.

The attack, according to the ADC-PCC, occurred yesterday (Friday) along Airport Road, Sokoto, as Dan Iya was returning to the city after accompanying former Governor of Sokoto State and Senator representing Sokoto South, Senator Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, from the airport.

Several vehicles in the governorship candidate’s convoy, according to a statement on Saturday by Hon Kola Ologbondiyan, Director, Media and Publicity ADC Presidential Campaign Council, were vandalised and extensively damaged by the armed operatives.

According to the statement, “More disturbing is the fact that, since the incident, operatives of the same security outfit have been stationed at various historic gates into Sokoto metropolis, harassing motorists and targeting vehicles bearing ADC posters, insignia and other party symbols.

“In an even more alarming development, two Department of State Services (DSS) personnel attached to ADC governorship candidate were reportedly abducted by the Sokoto Marshals.

“The incident has been formally reported to the Sokoto State Commissioner of Police by Dan Iya himself.

“His personal SUV was also vandalised during the attack last night.

“This reprehensible conduct is provocative, unacceptable and represents a dangerous descent into state-sponsored thuggery.

“It is part of a disturbing pattern of political intimidation and violence against ADC members and opposition figures across the country.

“Only a few weeks ago, similar incidents were reported in Kaduna and other states. Sokoto has now become the latest theatre of this growing assault on democratic freedoms.

“The coordinated harassment and attacks against the ADC and other opposition voices constitute a grave violation of democratic principles and the constitutional guarantees of freedom of movement, association and peaceful political participation.

“We are particularly alarmed that a security outfit established and funded with taxpayers’ money is allegedly being transformed into a political militia for intimidating, harassing and attacking perceived political opponents.

“This is not governance. It is banditry in uniform, and it must not be tolerated in a democracy.

“Let it be clearly understood that the ADC will no longer sit back and watch its members, leaders and candidates being subjected to intimidation and violence anywhere in Nigeria.

“The era of taking our party for granted, threatening its members and attacking its political structures with impunity is over.

“This must be the last time such an attack is allowed to happen.

“While the ADC remains committed to peaceful political engagement and the rule of law, we are fully prepared to defend our members and protect their constitutional rights through every legitimate means available to us.

“No individual or group has a monopoly of violence, intimidation or lawlessness”, it said.

The ADC-PCC has therefore called on the Inspector-General of Police, the Sokoto State Commissioner of Police and all relevant security and intelligence agencies to immediately investigate these incidents, apprehend those responsible, secure the release of the two DSS personnel reportedly abducted and ensure that all perpetrators are brought to justice.

“We hereby give the relevant authorities 24 hours to rein in these rogue elements, secure the safety of our candidate and members, and commence decisive action to bring the perpetrators to justice”, it said.

“Failure to do so will leave the leadership of our party with no option but to take further decisive and lawful steps to protect its members, defend its political rights and safeguard our democracy.

Nigeria cannot afford to descend into an era where state-funded security outfits are deployed as instruments of political persecution”, it added.

The ADC vowed to resist every attempt to silence the opposition through violence and intimidation.