The African Democratic Congress (ADC) and the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Sokoto State have traded accusations over an alleged attack on party supporters during a rally in the state.
The ADC governorship candidate, Manir Muhammad Dan’iya, alleged that suspected APC supporters disrupted a peaceful procession involving about 5,000 women and youths on Tuesday.
In a statement by his media aide, Aminu Abdullahi, Dan’iya said the rally began around 10am near the Old Savannah Bank area in Sokoto and was heading towards the ADC state secretariat when it was disrupted.
He alleged that several women were injured, some had their veils torn, ADC vehicles were damaged and valuables stolen.
Dan’iya accused APC chieftain S.A. Bajare and the party’s youth leader, Abdulrashid Baraka, of allegedly coordinating the attack. He called on the police to investigate the incident and prosecute anyone found responsible.
However, Malami Muhammad Galadanchi Bajare, an aide to Governor Ahmed Aliyu on Rural Roads, denied the allegations, describing them as fabricated claims intended to damage the APC’s reputation.
Bajare instead accused ADC supporters of attacking APC youths and seizing two motorcycles, one of which he said was later returned.
He added that police and Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) personnel were present during the confrontation.
The competing claims have yet to be independently verified. An impartial investigation would be needed to establish what happened and determine responsibility for any alleged violence or property damage.
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