CITIZENS COMPASS— At a time Governor Ahmed Aliyu of Sokoto State is privileged to be with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who is reportedly in Saudi Arabia to pray for Nigeria’s peace and prosperity, supporters of their ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) are allegedly perpetrating violence against opposition members under his watch and alleged supervision of his political benefactor, Senator Aliyu Magatakarda Wammako, including sealing off the opposition political office designated as the venue for the African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential campaign flag-off in Sokoto State.
The allegations were contained in a letter titled, “Urgent Appeal for Diplomatic Intervention over Political Violence and Threats to Democratic Participation in Sokoto State, Nigeria,” written by Arewa Transformational Leader, a civil society organisation based in Abuja, dated November 3, 2026.
The petition was addressed to the Embassies of the United States and United Kingdom, the European Union through its Delegation to Nigeria and ECOWAS, and the Muslim World League. The letters were reportedly delivered and acknowledged by the respective embassies, while that to the Muslim World League was said to have been sent by email.
The organisation expressed concern that Governor Aliyu could be performing Lesser Hajj in Makkah while alleged political violence was being perpetrated against opposition supporters in his state, describing the development as contrary to Islamic teachings and the principles of peace and justice.
In the petition, the group said: “We write to respectfully seek the urgent attention and diplomatic intervention of the European Union… regarding a disturbing pattern of political violence, intimidation, and restrictions on democratic participation in Sokoto State, Nigeria.”
It identified three major incidents, beginning with an alleged attack on women participating in a peaceful ADC solidarity procession on October 28, 2026, which reportedly left several of them seriously injured.
The organisation identified one Aliyu KC and his associates as alleged perpetrators, while calling for an independent investigation.
It also alleged that the convoy of the ADC governorship candidate, Hon. Manir Muhammad Dan’Iya, was attacked on October 30 by operatives of Sokoto Marshal and Sokoto Community Guards.
“Opposition participation cannot depend on a willingness to endure violence,” the group declared.
Another allegation concerned the sealing of the ADC campaign office by the state government on November 2, barely 48 hours before the party’s presidential campaign flag-off scheduled for Wednesday, November 4.
The organisation described the action as a possible attempt at partisan suppression, insisting that “an elected government cannot legitimately close the political space through which others seek a democratic mandate.”
The petition further raised questions over the reported release from prison of Aliyu KC and his associates, alleging that the circumstances surrounding their release required investigation to establish whether political actors or public officials facilitated it.
It urged the relevant authorities to investigate whether the individuals were subsequently involved in acts of intimidation against opposition supporters and whether anyone financed, directed or protected their activities.
The group also drew attention to unverified reports that APC stakeholders had mobilised political thugs to disrupt ADC activities and allegedly procured motorcycles for their operations.
It, however, acknowledged that the reports remained unverified and called for immediate investigation and preventive security measures ahead of the campaign.
Expressing further concern, the organisation referenced the United Kingdom’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office travel advisory against travelling to Sokoto State, arguing that politically protected violence would worsen insecurity and undermine democratic institutions.
It specifically placed Governor Ahmed Aliyu, the Sokoto State Government and Senator Wamakko on notice over the alleged threats.
“We urge the international community to hold them politically accountable for further violence connected to their supporters or proxies, and for failures to address threats within their respective powers,” the petition stated.
Among its five major demands, the organisation asked the international community to urgently engage the Sokoto State Government and federal authorities to guarantee peaceful political participation and impartial security protection for ADC supporters, journalists, residents and property.
It also called for visa restrictions and other applicable sanctions against individuals identified, on credible evidence, as perpetrators or sponsors of political violence.
Other demands included independent investigations into the alleged attacks, the circumstances surrounding the release of Aliyu KC and his associates, and reports of mobilisation and procurement of motorcycles for political thuggery.
The group further demanded an immediate explanation for the sealing of the ADC campaign office and urged its reopening unless a lawful justification could be established.
It also called for international monitoring of developments and protection of witnesses against possible retaliation.
The allegations against Governor Aliyu, Senator Wamakko, the Sokoto State Government, APC stakeholders and the identified individuals have not been independently established. Their responses to the petition were not contained in the material made available to The DEFENDER.
The ADC presidential campaign flag-off is scheduled for Wednesday, November 4, in Sokoto, amid calls for security agencies to ensure that political parties can exercise their democratic rights without intimidation or violence.
