African Democratic Congress (ADC) Presidential Campaign Council has accused the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led Kaduna State Government of attempting to frustrate its presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar’s consultation with Northern stakeholders after the authorities sealed the historic Arewa House in Kaduna.
The party said the development was part of a wider pattern of actions allegedly aimed at obstructing its campaign activities ahead of the 2027 general elections.
In a statement issued on Wednesday by the Director of Strategic Communication of the ADC Presidential Campaign Council, Phrank Shaibu, the party alleged that the sealing of Arewa House was politically motivated and intended to prevent Atiku’s planned engagement with stakeholders scheduled for Thursday.
“Arewa House is part of the shared heritage of the diverse peoples of Northern Nigeria. Sealing it to prevent a political consultation is an affront to their culture and dignity,” the statement said.
Atiku, according to the ADC, had chosen the venue for his consultation with Northern leaders before the Kaduna authorities sealed the building.
“My campaign team had proposed the Arewa House as the venue for our consultation with stakeholders on Thursday and, today, the APC government decided to seal the building,” Atiku was quoted as saying.
The ADC accused President Bola Tinubu and the APC of being responsible for what it described as a pattern of political obstruction against the opposition.
The party recalled that during its campaign flag-off in Sokoto, there were also attempts to frustrate the event, but said the support of residents ensured it went ahead.
“This is a troubling pattern. During our campaign flag-off in Sokoto, the APC government also tried to frustrate us. The people stood firm, and their will prevailed,” the party stated.
The opposition party said democratic competition requires equal opportunity for all political actors, warning that the use of public institutions to restrict opposition activities could undermine confidence in the electoral process.
“An outgoing president and a ruling party should respect democratic competition, not use public authority to impede the opposition, restrict political consultation or weaken Nigerians’ right to choose,” the statement added.
The ADC, however, vowed to continue with its political engagements and consultations across the country, insisting that it would not be intimidated.
The controversy comes as political parties intensify preparations and consultations ahead of the 2027 presidential election, with opposition parties positioning themselves against the ruling APC.
