- ‘Political Interference Dressed In Uniform’: Atiku Bombs DSS
- ‘We Are Protecting All Parties’: DSS Defends Operatives
- ADC: Governor Will Be Held Personally Responsible For Violence Against Opposition
The Department of State Services (DSS) and the African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, have traded accusations over an alleged plot to organise protests and disrupt the opposition party’s campaign activities in Sokoto State.
While Atiku accused the leadership of the DSS of recruiting protesters to create disorder and provide grounds for imposing a curfew in the state, the secret police dismissed the allegation as inconsistent with its record of protecting political actors across party lines.
This is even as the opposition party threatened that the State Governor Ahmed Aliyu will be held personally responsible for violence against opposition.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, November 3, 2026, Atiku alleged that the Sokoto State Government was deliberately frustrating the ADC’s preparations to commence its campaign by denying the party access to public facilities and withholding logistical support.
He further alleged that security officials were involved in efforts to undermine the party’s activities, claiming that protesters had been mobilised from an APC office behind Zenith Bank on Koko Road.
According to him, trucks were being stationed at the location and dispatched to strategic points, including residential neighbourhoods, to create traffic congestion and intimidate commuters.
Atiku alleged that the plan was to manufacture a crisis that would give the APC-controlled state government an excuse to impose a curfew and prevent the ADC from commencing its campaign as scheduled.
“This is not intelligence work. It is political interference dressed in official uniform,” the former vice-president said, calling on security personnel allegedly involved to desist from actions capable of compromising their constitutional responsibilities.
He maintained that security agencies were established to protect Nigerians and uphold the rule of law, not to advance the political interests of any party.
However, the DSS, in a statement signed by its Deputy Director of Public Relations and Strategic Communications, Favour Dozie, said its operatives had demonstrated impartiality by protecting political figures irrespective of their party affiliations.
The Service recalled that its operatives deployed to protect the ADC governorship candidate in Sokoto, Mannir Daniya, evacuated him safely during an attack on October 31, 2026.
It disclosed that two of its operatives were assaulted during the incident and were still receiving medical treatment in hospital.
According to the DSS, Daniya personally contacted the Sokoto State Director of the Service to express appreciation for the intervention and requested additional security reinforcement.
The Service also cited its March 2, 2026 arrest and prosecution of Monday Udeme Steven in Rivers State over threats to attack the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi.
It said Steven was prosecuted before a Federal High Court in Rivers State and sentenced to two years’ imprisonment.
The DSS argued that its interventions in protecting politicians across party lines contradicted Atiku’s allegations and risked demoralising operatives who were putting their lives on the line in the discharge of their duties.
Nevertheless, the Service said the Director-General had ordered an investigation into the allegation out of respect for Atiku, whom it described as an elder statesman.
The DSS also referenced a similar allegation by African Action Congress (AAC) presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, who accused the Service of involvement in an attack on him in Ekiti State.
It commended the police for conducting a swift preliminary investigation into the incident, which reportedly identified an altercation as the immediate cause and led to the arrest of 11 suspects.
The Service said it would await the outcome of the police investigation rather than expend further energy on the allegation.
Meanwhile, the ADC has warned the Sokoto State Government against what it described as persistent interference in its political activities, declaring that Governor Ahmed Aliyu would be held personally responsible for any violence directed at the opposition in the state.
In a separate statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, the party accused the state government of deliberately obstructing its campaign preparations and undermining the constitutional rights of opposition parties.
The ADC insisted that occupying public office did not give any governor the authority to determine which political party could organise campaigns or mobilise supporters.
It demanded an immediate end to the alleged obstruction, urging security agencies and public institutions to remain neutral and discharge their responsibilities in accordance with the Constitution.
The party also warned that public officials who abuse their positions to frustrate lawful political activities would be held accountable under the law.
“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,” the statement declared.
The opposition party urged its members and supporters to remain peaceful and law-abiding, while insisting that it would defend its right to campaign freely across the country.
It added that the people of Sokoto, rather than any governor or political party, had the ultimate right to determine the state’s political future.
