ADC Reschedules Sokoto Campaign as Hotel Access Dispute Raises Political Tensions

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has postponed its presidential campaign flag-off in Sokoto State amid allegations that delegates travelling to the event faced difficulties securing hotel accommodation in the state capital.

The campaign, initially scheduled for Saturday, October 31, 2026, has been moved to Wednesday, November 4, following what the party described as planning and coordination considerations.

The postponement comes as the opposition party raises concerns over the treatment of its supporters and the political environment ahead of the 2027 general elections.

In a statement, the ADC Presidential Campaign Council in Sokoto said the decision was taken to ensure the successful conduct of the event. The council apologised to party leaders, stakeholders and supporters for any inconvenience caused by the change.

However, the announcement came amid allegations by the party that some hotels in Sokoto had been instructed to deny accommodation to delegates expected to attend the campaign launch.

The ADC alleged that some supporters who had made reservations and checked into hotels were subsequently asked to leave. It described the reported development as an attempt to disrupt its preparations and frustrate the participation of members travelling from other parts of the country.

The party’s campaign spokesperson, Dahiru Maishanu, alleged that several hotels had told prospective guests that their rooms were fully booked until Sunday, prompting concerns about whether the unavailability was ordinary business activity or connected to the planned political event.

The ADC questioned why delegates willing to pay for accommodation would allegedly be denied access to hotel facilities. It argued that political parties should be able to organise lawful activities without interference or intimidation.

The party also said it was exploring alternative arrangements for visitors, including accommodating some delegates in the homes of members, friends and relatives.

The Sokoto State Government, however, denied directing hotels to reject ADC supporters. The Commissioner for Information, Sambo Danchadi, described the allegation as unfounded and insisted that the government had no intention of interfering with private businesses.

Danchadi maintained that hotels operate commercially and that the state government could not instruct them to refuse guests on the basis of their political affiliation. The alleged directive had not been independently established.

The disagreement has added to political tension in Sokoto as parties begin preparations for the 2027 elections. The ADC is seeking to mobilise supporters and strengthen its presence in the state, where the ruling All Progressives Congress remains a major political force.

The campaign postponement also follows allegations of violence during an ADC rally involving women and youths in Sokoto. The party’s governorship candidate, Manir Dan’iya, alleged that suspected APC supporters disrupted the procession and injured some participants.

According to the ADC, vehicles were damaged, some women sustained injuries and valuables were allegedly stolen during the confrontation. Dan’iya called on security agencies to investigate the incident and ensure that anyone found responsible was held accountable.

The APC denied responsibility for the alleged attack. A party chieftain, Bajare, dismissed the accusations as attempts to damage the ruling party’s image and said the allegations against its members were fabricated.

The conflicting accounts have increased pressure on security agencies to establish what happened and prevent further confrontations between rival political groups.

The Sokoto State Police Command confirmed that it received information about the confrontation and deployed officers to the scene. Police spokesperson DSP Ahmed Rufai said officers intervened to disperse those involved and observed damage to some vehicles and property.

The command said investigations were ongoing and urged political parties to notify the police of planned rallies and other activities at least 48 hours in advance to allow security arrangements to be made.

The police also said it had previously met political party leaders to discuss preparations for peaceful political activities ahead of the 2027 elections.

The ADC has maintained that it intends to proceed with its campaign despite the difficulties it says it has encountered. The rescheduled event is expected to attract national party leaders, supporters and other political stakeholders.

The dispute highlights the importance of protecting political participation and ensuring that parties can organise lawful events without discrimination. At the same time, allegations of interference or violence must be investigated impartially rather than treated as established facts before evidence is available.

With the new date set for November 4, attention will now turn to whether the ADC can secure accommodation for its delegates and conduct the campaign launch peacefully.

The state government’s denial, the party’s allegations and the police investigation leave important questions unresolved. A transparent inquiry and effective security arrangements will be necessary to reduce tensions and protect the rights of political parties and residents as preparations for the 2027 elections continue.