By Samuel Olusegun Precious
There is outrage in Sokoto as hotels in the state capital allegedly denied accommodation to delegates of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) ahead of its presidential campaign flag-off.
The ADC has accused the Sokoto State Government of directing hotels to reject bookings for its members travelling from across the country for the rally, which was scheduled for Saturday, October 31, in Sokoto.
Presidential campaign spokesperson, Dahiru Maishanu, alleged that since Monday, hotels have been telling guests they are fully booked until Sunday, while some delegates who had already paid and checked in were being asked to vacate their rooms.
“This action smacks of executive rascality and unwarranted partisanship by the state government and its agents,” Maishanu said in a statement on Wednesday.
A lecturer at Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Abubakar Sabo, in a viral Facebook post, also alleged that a state ministry directed hotels to shut down to frustrate the ADC event, describing it as worrisome and capable of damaging Sokoto’s reputation for hospitality.
The Sokoto State Government has denied the allegation. Commissioner for Information, Sambo Danchadi, described it as “unsubstantiated rumour.
“Hotels are here in the state for business. We cannot give such a directive to any hotel not to take lodgers,” he said.
Meanwhile, the ADC has postponed its presidential campaign flag-off in Sokoto from October 31 to November 4, 2026, citing planning and coordination considerations.
The party apologized for any inconvenience.The rally is expected to attract the party’s presidential candidate, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, vice-presidential candidate Rotimi Amaechi, Senator Aminu Tambuwal and other national leaders.
The development comes amid heightened tension after the ADC also alleged that suspected APC supporters attacked about 5,000 of its women and youth supporters during a rally in Sokoto, an allegation the APC has dismissed.
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