Atiku Abubakar arrived in Sokoto on Wednesday for a presidential campaign rally, according to Channels Television, which published photographs of his arrival. The visit comes as the African Democratic Congress (ADC) campaigns in the state ahead of the 2027 elections.
The rally has been complicated by a dispute between the party and the Sokoto State Government. Punch Newspapers reports that the ADC has kept the venue of its campaign kickoff secret after a rift with the state government. TheCable reports that the party has vowed to proceed with its campaign in Sokoto despite the closure of its office, saying it will not be intimidated.
The trip has also drawn attention over security claims. According to THISDAYLIVE, Atiku alleged that the Department of State Services (DSS) was recruiting thugs to obstruct ADC campaigns in Sokoto. The DSS responded by ordering a probe into the allegation, THISDAYLIVE reported.
Premium Times Nigeria, in its 2027 politics watch roundup, described the situation as a security row in Sokoto. The competing reports from Channels Television, Punch Newspapers, TheCable, THISDAYLIVE and Premium Times Nigeria indicate that the visit has become a focal point in the early campaign period.
What to watch next: whether the DSS investigation into Atiku's allegation produces findings, and where and when the ADC ultimately holds its Sokoto rally.