By Bashir Rabe Mani, Sokoto
The Sokoto State Governor’s Special Adviser on Rural Roads, Hon. Malami Muhammad Galadanchi Bajare, has denied allegations that he mobilised thugs to attack a peaceful procession organised by about 5,000 women of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Sokoto State.
Bajare described the allegations as misleading, insisting that his intervention during the incident was aimed at preventing a breakdown of law and order.
He made the clarification on Thursday in Sokoto while addressing journalists in response to accusations levelled against him by the opposition party.
According to him, the APC Sokoto Central Senatorial District Zonal Office, located near the Old Savannah Bank area where the ADC operates, has been in existence for more than 15 years.
He questioned the ADC’s decision to establish its office close to the APC facility, arguing that the proximity of both offices could create tension.
Bajare explained that the APC had planned to receive more than 2,750 defectors from the ADC at its zonal office on the day of the incident.
He alleged that some ADC supporters blocked APC members and seized two motorcycles, prompting threats of retaliation from his supporters.
The governor’s aide said he personally intervened to prevent the situation from escalating.
“When I heard about the seizure, our people wanted to go and recover the motorcycles. As a leader, I felt I should not allow that to happen. I went there by myself,” he said.
He added that security officials, including the Divisional Police Officer and the Commander of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), were involved in resolving the disagreement.
According to him, one of the motorcycles was subsequently recovered from the ADC office, while both parties agreed that it should be taken to the NSCDC office for the rightful owner to establish ownership with valid documents.
Bajare dismissed claims that women participating in the ADC procession were attacked, accusing the opposition party of attempting to create political tension ahead of the forthcoming elections.
He also criticised the previous administration, alleging that it failed to deliver adequate infrastructure and sold more than 3,000 houses without replacing them with new housing projects.
Defending the performance of the present APC administration, Bajare said the government had improved salary and pension payments, addressed electricity challenges in government facilities and embarked on infrastructure and housing projects in Kalambaina and other parts of the state.
He urged residents to support continuity under Governor Ahmed Aliyu, arguing that the administration’s achievements should be considered when making political decisions.
The ADC has yet to respond to the latest counter-allegations contained in Bajare’s statement.
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