A political pressure group has petitioned the British High Commission in Abuja over alleged political violence in Sokoto State ahead of an African Democratic Congress presidential campaign flag-off scheduled for Wednesday, November 4, 2026.
In a petition dated November 3, 2026, and signed by Muhammed Umar, the Arewa Transformational Leaders Forum asked for diplomatic intervention. It accused Governor Ahmed Aliyu’s administration and the state’s All Progressives Congress leader, Senator Aliyu Wamakko, of suppressing opposition participation.
The Forum alleged that on Monday, November 2, 2026, less than 48 hours before the flag-off, the Sokoto State Government sealed the ADC campaign office designated as the venue. It described the closure as the use of governmental authority for partisan suppression. The petition said an elected government cannot legitimately close the political space through which others seek a democratic mandate.
The group further alleged that on Wednesday, October 28, 2026, women taking part in a peaceful ADC solidarity procession were attacked and sustained serious injuries. It identified one Aliyu KC and his associates, described as a well-known APC political thug, as responsible, and demanded an impartial investigation, arrest and prosecution.
The Forum also alleged that on October 30, 2026, the convoy of ADC governorship candidate Hon. Manir Muhammad Dan’iya was attacked by Sokoto State Security Outfits.
It raised alarm over what it called mysterious and deeply troubling circumstances surrounding the release of Aliyu KC and his associates from prison and their subsequent alleged involvement in attacks. The group urged investigation of the date and legal basis of the release, the authority that approved it, any conditions attached, and any role of public officials or political intermediaries, including court orders, release warrants or instruments of executive clemency. The petition said the sequence of release followed by political violence raises serious questions about political protection and the integrity of the release process.
The Forum also pointed to unverified reports that APC stakeholders have mobilised political thugs to disrupt ADC activities and that motorcycles have been procured for their operations. It said it distinguishes those warnings from established findings and wants immediate investigation and preventive protection.
The group linked the situation to insecurity, noting that the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office currently advises against all travel to Sokoto State. It argued that politically protected violence weakens lawful institutions and emboldens coercive groups.
The Forum asked the British High Commission and other diplomatic missions to engage urgently with the Sokoto State Government and federal authorities so political participation can proceed peacefully before, during and after November 4, with impartial security protection for participants, journalists, residents and property. It asked that identified perpetrators and sponsors be blacklisted, on credible evidence, through visa refusals or revocations, travel restrictions and other applicable sanctions under UK law.
It also asked diplomats to press for independent investigations into the attacks on women and the governorship candidate, the circumstances of Aliyu KC’s release, and any recruitment, financing, equipping or protection of perpetrators, including the motorcycle-procurement reports. It sought an immediate explanation of the office sealing and its legal basis, and urged reopening unless a lawful justification is established. The group asked missions to monitor developments and seek accountability through contact with affected persons, legal practitioners and civil society, with safeguards against witness retaliation.
The petition said the Forum places Governor Ahmed Aliyu, the Sokoto State Government and Senator Wamakko on express notice of these foreseeable threats, and urged the international community to hold them politically accountable for further violence connected to their supporters or proxies. It added that Sokoto belongs to its people and that no governor, former governor or ruling party owns its political space.
As at press time, the Sokoto State Government, Senator Wamakko and the APC were yet to respond to the allegations, and efforts to obtain their reaction were ongoing. The Forum said it had requested an urgent opportunity to brief political and human-rights officers of the High Commission and urged all parties to reject retaliation and support peaceful participation.