African Democratic Congress (ADC) has alleged that its supporters, including thousands of women, were attacked during a peaceful solidarity rally in Sokoto, accusing suspected thugs linked to the All Progressives Congress (APC) of disrupting the procession.
The ADC governorship candidate in Sokoto State, Hon. Manir Muhammad Dan’iya, condemned the incident, describing the alleged attack on the party’s Women Wing as an assault on democracy and the constitutional rights of citizens to peaceful assembly.
According to a statement issued by his Media Aide, Aminu Abdullahi, the rally, attended by about 5,000 women and youths, started around 10 a.m. on Wednesday from the Old Savannah Bank area and was heading to the ADC State Secretariat when it was allegedly disrupted.
The statement claimed that several women sustained injuries, some had their veils torn, ADC vehicles were vandalised and valuables were allegedly stolen during the incident.
Dan’iya alleged that Hon. SA Bajare and APC Youth Leader Abdulrashid Baraka coordinated the attack and called on the Nigeria Police Force to conduct a thorough and impartial investigation into the allegations.
“There is absolutely no justification for attacking women who are exercising their democratic rights peacefully. Anyone who believes in democracy must condemn this shameful conduct without reservation,” Dan’iya said.
He urged the Sokoto State Commissioner of Police to immediately investigate the incident, arrest anyone found culpable and ensure justice for the victims, while also calling on the state government to guarantee the safety of all political parties during campaign activities.
Questioning why women participating in a peaceful rally should be targeted, Dan’iya said, “Why should our women be attacked for expressing their political choice? If those behind this violence truly believe they enjoy majority support, what are they afraid of? Democracy is not secured through intimidation, torn veils, injured women or smashed vehicles. It is secured through ideas, persuasion and the votes of the people.”
He maintained that the Constitution guarantees the rights of Nigerians to freedom of movement, peaceful assembly and association, warning that political intimidation could undermine public confidence in the democratic process.
Dan’iya added, “The ADC will not be intimidated, and the political rights of our women will not be negotiated away. We demand justice for those injured, accountability for those responsible, and a clear commitment from the authorities that such attacks will not be repeated. Sokoto belongs to all its people—not to any political party or group of individuals.”
The APC and the Nigeria Police had not responded to the allegations as of the time of filing this report.
