By Gbolahan Salman
The APC Youth Vanguards have challenged the African Democratic Congress (ADC) to provide evidence for its allegation that the Sokoto State Government directed hotels to deny accommodation to delegates expected to attend the party’s presidential campaign flag-off.
The group said the allegation by Dahiru Maishanu, a member of the ADC presidential campaign media team, ignored other events scheduled to take place in the state and risked portraying the government as hostile to opposition activities without sufficient evidence.
Maishanu had alleged that the government directed public and privately owned hotels in Sokoto metropolis to deny accommodation to the party’s delegates, claiming that some guests who had paid for their rooms were also asked to leave.
But the APC Youth Vanguards, in a statement signed by its Secretary, Abdurrasheed Yaqub, said the reported accommodation difficulties could be linked to the expected influx of visitors for a traditional ceremony scheduled for Sunday, November 1, 2026.
The group noted that the Sultan of Sokoto had appointed several traditional titleholders who were expected to be turbaned during the ceremony, attracting traditional rulers, dignitaries, relatives and well-wishers from across the country.
It argued that the anticipated demand for hotel rooms should be considered before concluding that the state government deliberately sought to frustrate the opposition party.
“How can a state government known for prudence and transparency in the management of public resources deliberately spend taxpayers’ money on hotel accommodation simply to frustrate an opposition political party? Such a claim requires credible evidence, not political insinuations,” the statement said.
The group also cited the recent visit of Peter Obi, presidential candidate of the Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC), and his running mate, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, to Sokoto for political engagements.
It questioned whether the politicians and their supporters had been denied accommodation or prevented from conducting their activities during their stay.
“Peter Obi, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso and their supporters from different parts of the country were in Sokoto for several days recently for political activities. Did they sleep in classrooms because they could not access hotels? Were they prevented from coming to Sokoto or conducting their political engagements?” the group asked.
It further argued that ADC members had continued to hold meetings, rallies and other political activities in public places across the state without interference from the government.
“If Governor Ahmed Aliyu and the APC-led government were determined to frustrate opposition activities, how have ADC supporters continued to organise their meetings and rallies in public places across the state?” the statement added.
The group maintained that political competition should be driven by policies, programmes and the ability of parties to win voters’ support rather than allegations it described as politically motivated.
It also referred to the reported postponement of the ADC presidential campaign flag-off but cautioned against attributing the decision to government interference without credible evidence establishing the connection.
The APC Youth Vanguards urged political parties to exercise restraint and avoid claims capable of heightening political tension, particularly when the circumstances surrounding an incident remained unclear.
It also called on media organisations to verify allegations, seek responses from relevant parties and ensure balanced reporting of politically sensitive issues.
“The right of the ADC to organise its political activities is not in dispute. Equally, the right of visitors to attend traditional ceremonies and other legitimate events in Sokoto must be respected,” the statement said.
The group urged the ADC to concentrate on presenting its political agenda and engaging voters on development issues rather than making allegations that could create unnecessary suspicion.
“Stop the misinformation. Stop the distortion of events. Stop turning every development into a political conspiracy. Sokoto deserves responsible political engagement, and Nigerians deserve facts, fairness and transparency,” the statement added.
