…Wants UK to blacklist sponsors, probe attack on women, Dan’iya convoy

By Aliyu Musa, Abuja

A political pressure group, Arewa Transformational Leaders Forum, has petitioned the British High Commission in Abuja over alleged escalating political repression and violence in Sokoto State ahead of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential campaign flag-off scheduled for Wednesday, November 4, 2026.

In a petition dated November 3, 2026, signed by Muhammed Umar for the Forum, the group asked for diplomatic intervention and accused Governor Ahmed Aliyu’s administration and the APC leader in the state, Senator Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko, of suppressing opposition participation.

The Forum alleged that on Monday, November 2, 2026 – barely 48 hours to the presidential campaign flag-off – the Sokoto State Government sealed the ADC campaign office designated as the venue for the event. The group described it as the use of governmental authority for partisan suppression.

“An elected government cannot legitimately close the political space through which others seek a democratic mandate,” it said.

The group further alleged that on Wednesday, October 28, 2026, women participating in a peaceful ADC solidarity procession were attacked and sustained serious injuries. The Forum identified one Aliyu KC and his associates, described as a well-known political thug of the All Progressives Congress (APC), as responsible, and demanded impartial investigation, arrest and prosecution.

“On October 30, 2026, the convoy of the ADC governorship candidate, His Excellency Hon. Manir Muhammad Dan’iya, was allegedly attacked by Sokoto State Security Outfits”.

The Forum 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.

It urged investigation into the date and legal basis of their release, the authority that approved it, any conditions attached, and involvement of public officials or political intermediaries, including court orders, release warrants or instruments of executive clemency.

“The sequence of release followed by political violence raises serious questions about political protection and the integrity of the release process,” the petition said.

The group also drew attention to unverified reports that APC stakeholders have mobilised political thugs to disrupt ADC activities and that motorcycles have been procured for their operations, but said it distinguishes these warnings from established findings and wants immediate investigation and preventive protection.

The Forum linked the situation to insecurity, noting that the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office currently advises against all travel to Sokoto State, arguing 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 Sokoto State Government and federal authorities to secure peaceful political participation before, during and after November 4, with impartial security protection for participants, journalists, residents and property;

“Blacklist identified perpetrators and sponsors on the basis of credible evidence, through visa refusals or revocations, travel restrictions and other applicable sanctions under UK laws;

“Press for independent investigations into attacks on women and the governorship candidate, circumstances of Aliyu KC’s release, and recruitment, financing, equipping or protection of perpetrators, including motorcycle-procurement reports;

“Seek immediate explanation of the office sealing, including its legal basis and urge reopening unless lawful justification is established;

“Monitor developments and seek accountability through engagement with affected persons, legal practitioners and civil society, with safeguards against witness retaliation.

“We place Governor Ahmed Aliyu, the Sokoto State Government and Senator Wamakko on express notice of these foreseeable threats. We urge the international community to hold them politically accountable for further violence connected to their supporters or proxies,” the Forum said.

It added: “Sokoto belongs to its people. 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. Efforts to get their reaction were ongoing.

The group said it 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.

By Felix Umande

Abba Atiku Abubakar, son of former Vice-President and Presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress ADC, Atiku Abubakar, has pledged 10 buses to support mobilisation for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s re-election ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Abba made the pledge during a visit to the All Progressives Congress, APC, National Secretariat in Abuja on Friday, according to a statement issued by the party’s Senior Special Assistant on Youth Mobilisation to the Deputy National Chairman, Yusi Buba.

He was received by the APC Deputy National Chairman (North), Bukar Dalori.

Buba said Abba commended the party’s leadership and Tinubu’s administration, expressing support for the President’s continuity in office.

“In a demonstration of his commitment to the political engagement ahead of the 2027 general elections, Hon. Abba Atiku Abubakar announced the donation of ten buses to support activities aimed at mobilising support for the re-election of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima in 2027,” the statement said.

Dalori was said to have welcomed Abba and acknowledged the pledge as support for the party’s mobilisation activities.

The development followed Abba’s announcement of a nationwide mobilisation plan for Tinubu’s re-election and unveiling of the Haske Bola Tinubu Organisation, a political support platform.

Speaking at a press conference in Abuja on Friday, Abba said the organisation would begin its activities in the Federal Capital Territory before expanding to other parts of the country, and announced plans for a two-million-man mobilisation march across the six geopolitical zones, beginning in Abuja.

Abba had defected from the Peoples Democratic Party to the APC in January, declaring support for Tinubu’s second-term ambition.

His father, Atiku Abubakar, is the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress for the 2027 general election.

–Askes Benue Indigenes to Support Gov Sani

By Felix Umande

The Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SGF, Senator George Akume, has said President Bola Ahmed Tinubu deserves a second term and urged Northerners to shelve presidential ambitions until 2031.

Akume stated this on Saturday in Kaduna during a pre-campaign engagement with Benue State indigenes resident in Kaduna, where he said any Northerner contesting against Tinubu in 2027 would be acting against the collective interest of the North.

According to him, power rotation between North and South, agreed upon in Kaduna, remains the formula that has sustained Nigeria’s unity and territorial integrity, and must be respected. In his words:

“Anybody who is from the North and running for the presidency is an enemy of the North. It is not yet our turn. The North’s turn is in 2031. Prepare to vote for Tinubu.”

The SGF warned the gathering not to be deceived by “pretenders” driven by personal ambition, describing one opposition figure as inconsistent. He added:

“Forget that other one making noise that he was going to remove fuel subsidy. He is always flip flopping. He says something today and changes gear the next minute.”

He argued that President Tinubu has been fair to all sections of the country in appointments and distribution of projects, without religious bias.

“Let us remember that the President has been fair to all in terms of appointments and others. He doesn’t favour one religion over the other. Just look at the figures,” he said.

Akume said Benue has benefitted from numerous federal interventions under Tinubu in healthcare, roads and education, adding that over 65 percent of NELFUND beneficiaries are from the North.

He also praised Governor Uba Sani of Kaduna State as a believer in the vision of the late Sardauna and called for his re-election.

“Kaduna State is a historic city that gave us meaning and purpose. Your governor is a good man and he has done well for this state. Let us return him to power too,” he said.

The SGF emphasized unity, peaceful coexistence and preservation of cultural heritage as vital for national progress, noting that leadership, not ethnicity, should guide political choices.

“I was Governor of Benue State and the Fulanis were there. It is about leadership. If Asiwaju was not a good leader, I would not tell you otherwise,” he said.

The meeting, attended by Benue indigenes and political stakeholders, focused on community interests and political participation ahead of 2027.

Dignitaries present included former Jigawa Governor Saminu Turaki, Dame Pauline Tallen, Sen. Abu Ibrahim, Minister of Water Resources Prof. Joseph Utsev, and Minister of Steel Development Prince Shuaibu Abubakar Audu, among others..