ADC announces campaign flag‑off venue in Sokoto as party prepares for presidential launch

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has disclosed the location for the flag‑off of its presidential campaign. Senator Ibrahim Lamido, the party’s campaign coordinator for Sokoto State, said the event will take place at the ADC secretariat on Ilorin Road in Sokoto on Wednesday. The statement added that former Vice‑President Atiku Abubakar, the ADC’s presidential candidate, is expected to land at Sultan Abubakar III International Airport at 9 a.m. before proceeding to the venue.

Lamido noted that party dignitaries, members and supporters are already mobilising for the occasion. The announcement follows a period of tension, during which the ADC had previously refused to reveal the launch site after alleging intimidation and suppression by authorities.

Background

Earlier in the week, the ADC’s governorship candidate for Sokoto State, Hon. Manir Muhammad Dan’iya, survived an attack when gunmen opened fire on his convoy near Sultan Abubakar III International Airport. The incident left Dan’iya unharmed, and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) denied any involvement. Three days after the shooting, an ADC campaign office in Sokoto was sealed, prompting further accusations of obstruction.

On Tuesday night, Atiku Abubakar alleged that the APC and the Department of State Services (DSS) were conspiring to derail the ADC’s inaugural campaign. The Secret Service refuted the claim. The party also reported that the Sokoto State government had denied the ADC a suitable venue for the flag‑off, leading the party to ultimately select its own secretariat as the launch site.

Why it matters

The venue announcement is significant for several reasons. First, it signals the ADC’s intent to proceed with its presidential campaign despite security concerns and alleged interference. The involvement of high‑profile figures such as Atiku Abubakar underscores the party’s ambition to challenge the ruling APC in the upcoming election.

Second, the recent attack on the ADC’s governorship candidate and the sealing of a campaign office highlight escalating tensions in Sokoto State, a region where political competition is intense. The APC’s denial of responsibility and the DSS’s rejection of Atiku’s allegations illustrate a contested narrative about the safety and fairness of the electoral environment.

Third, the call for mobilisation across all 23 local government areas, as well as the engagement of women and youth organisations, indicates the ADC’s strategy to broaden its grassroots support ahead of the national campaign.

What happens next

The flag‑off ceremony is scheduled for Wednesday morning, with Atiku Abubakar’s arrival at the airport marking the start of the day’s activities. Party officials have urged supporters to gather at the airport to welcome the candidate before moving to the secretariat for the official launch. The ADC has also called on its executives and mobilisation coordinators to activate structures across the state to ensure maximum participation.

The party’s next steps will involve rolling out its presidential campaign agenda nationwide, while monitoring the response from the APC and security agencies to any further incidents. The unfolding events in Sokoto are likely to influence perceptions of the ADC’s capacity to conduct a safe and effective campaign in the lead‑up to the national elections.