The African Democratic Congress has accused the ruling All Progressives Congress of sponsoring attacks against its members and other opposition figures ahead of the 2027 elections.
Deputy director-general of the ADC presidential campaign council, Dino Melaye, made the allegation on ARISE TV on Monday.
“We are following INEC and this government despite attacks on our members and opposition. They have killed some of our members in some places. Just few days ago, our governorship candidates in Sokoto, Kaduna and Katsina were attacked.
“In Kogi State, they (APC) injured people and destroyed properties. Few days ago, Sowore was attacked. There have been serious intimidation and harassment of opposition members out of desperation by the APC,” Mr Melaye alleged.
He added, “This time around, all die na die. We will defend ourselves. The ADC will not sit and allow APC to continue its violence. In the Osun election, over 50 people died. We are announcing to Tinubu and the APC that this time around, we will defend ourselves. We will not go to court; we will settle the matter on the streets. It’s a constitutional, inalienable right to defend yourself. We won’t keep quiet. We’ll defend ourselves. And I want to announce to you that ADC is a non-violent party.”
Mr Melaye further accused APC of campaign sabotage ahead of its presidential rally in Sokoto on Wednesday.
“As I am speaking to you, we have intel that APC is going to stop our plane from flying to Sokoto. We are laughing because we are looking at the way they want to do it. This country belongs to all of us,” the politician claimed. “We are not aliens. Government is not owned by people in government, but people.”
The APC has been contacted for comment on Mr Melaye’s allegations.
The allegations came hours after the Sokoto government sealed off the ADC office ahead of the party’s presidential campaign flag-off scheduled for Wednesday.
The commissioner for lands and housing, Nasiru Dantsoho, said the decision was made to protect lives and property after an altercation between ADC supporters and miscreants.