By Samuel Nworah
Political tensions have intensified in Nigeria’s North-West after the Sokoto State Government sealed a campaign office of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), while violence disrupted the All Progressives Congress (APC) senatorial primary in neighbouring Zamfara State.
The developments came just a day before the ADC’s scheduled presidential campaign flag-off in Sokoto, adding another layer of tension to an already heated political atmosphere ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The Sokoto State Commissioner for Lands and Housing, Nasiru Dantsoho, announced the sealing of the ADC office on Monday after leading government officials to the premises.
The government has now offered an explanation for the action. Dantsoho said officials had reviewed documents relating to the property and found that it was originally owned by the defunct Savannah Bank, with no official change of ownership reflected in the state’s records.
He said the government had contacted the Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC), which is understood to be the custodian of the property, to clarify its current ownership status. According to the commissioner, the premises would remain sealed pending clarification.
Dantsoho also referred to a recent disturbance involving political supporters and said the government had a responsibility to protect lives and property. The state government’s explanation differs from allegations by the ADC that the party has been subjected to political intimidation.
The ADC has maintained that it will proceed with its presidential campaign flag-off in Sokoto on Wednesday, November 4. The event was originally scheduled for October 31 but was postponed amid what the party described as planning and coordination issues.
ADC leaders have alleged a pattern of intimidation, including an alleged attack involving the convoy of the party’s Sokoto governorship candidate, Manir Muhammad Dan’iya, as well as alleged assaults on supporters and vandalism. The party has called on the police, Department of State Services and other authorities to investigate the allegations and protect its members.
The claims have not all been independently established, and the Sokoto State Government’s explanation for sealing the office centres on the property’s ownership and the need to prevent further disturbances.
Violence at Zamfara APC primary
Meanwhile, political tensions spilled over into the APC’s rerun primary for the Zamfara North Senatorial District in Kaura Namoda.
The exercise was disrupted by suspected political thugs at two voting centres, according to reports. Voters and residents reportedly fled as violence erupted, while at least one person was seriously injured in a separate confrontation.
The chairman of Kaura Namoda Local Government Area, Mannir Muhammad Haidara, also narrowly escaped an attack after angry youths confronted him at one of the venues.
Reports said Haidara had urged delegates to support the incumbent senator, Sahabi Ya’u Kaura. Supporters of rival aspirant Tijjani Yahaya Kaura reportedly objected, accusing the council chairman of taking sides in the contest. Security personnel intervened and escorted Haidara away from the crowd.
The primary was particularly significant because of the rivalry between the two major camps within the Zamfara APC.
However, the election itself has become controversial. Two conflicting result declarations have emerged from the exercise.
One returning officer, Sani Abdullahi, declared former senator Tijjani Yahaya Kaura the winner with 16,758 votes, against 1,465 for Sahabi Ya’u and 1,447 for Sani Abdullahi Shinkafi.
In a separate declaration, however, APC’s Senatorial Primary Election Committee chairman, Dr Auwal Abdullahi Aliyu, declared the incumbent, Sahabi Ya’u Kaura, the winner with 49,176 votes. Tijjani Yahaya was said to have scored 9,628 votes, while Sani Abdullahi Shinkafi received 2,602 votes.
The conflicting figures have created uncertainty over who actually won the APC ticket. Premium Times has also noted discrepancies in the reported voting figures and said it had not obtained the official result sheet needed to resolve the differences.
The rerun primary followed a court process that nullified the party’s earlier primary and ordered a fresh exercise. The latest controversy therefore adds another complication to an already difficult contest.
Growing political tension
The developments in Sokoto and Zamfara come as political parties intensify preparations for the 2027 elections.
The sealing of an opposition party’s campaign office, allegations of intimidation, violence at a major party primary and the conflicting declarations of an election result all point to the increasingly charged political environment in the North-West.
For the political parties and security agencies, the immediate challenge will be to prevent disagreements from escalating into wider violence and to ensure that political activities can take place without intimidation.
For voters, the events provide another reminder that the credibility of the 2027 electoral process will depend not only on the eventual election-day vote but also on how political parties, security agencies and electoral institutions handle disputes and internal contests in the months ahead.
