Atiku Reveals Why DSS Leadership is Recruiting Protesters to Disrupt ADC Campaign in Sokoto

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has accused the leadership of the Department of State Services (DSS) of recruiting people to stage protests in Sokoto State, alleging that the move is intended to disrupt the African Democratic Congress (ADC) campaign activities ahead of the 2027 general elections.

In a statement aired during Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily, Atiku said the alleged plan was designed to create disorder and give the state government an opportunity to prevent the opposition party from carrying out its scheduled political activities.

“The leadership of the Department of State Services is recruiting people to stage protests in Sokoto State,” Atiku said while raising concerns about the political situation in the state.

He further alleged that the objective was to create an atmosphere of confusion that could be used to restrict the party’s activities. According to him, “the objective is to create disorder, give the APC-controlled state government a pretext to impose a curfew and prevent our campaign take-off from holding as scheduled.”

Atiku also claimed that he knew where some of the people allegedly mobilised for the protests had gathered. He identified the location as an APC office behind Zenith Bank on Koko Road in Sokoto.

The former vice president further alleged that trucks were stationed at the location and being dispatched to different points within the area. He suggested that the movement of the vehicles was part of the activities connected to the planned demonstrations.

According to Atiku, the presence and activities of the alleged protesters had already begun affecting movement in parts of the state. He claimed that their mobilisation was causing gridlock and creating difficulties for commuters.

He also alleged that some commuters were being threatened, while others had been beaten during the incidents. Atiku described the situation as political interference rather than legitimate intelligence work by a security agency.

The ADC presidential campaign council member and Director of Media and Publicity, identified during the programme as Kola, defended Atiku’s allegations.

He said he believed the former vice president had facts supporting his claims, although he also stated that he respected the DSS Director-General and his work.

Atiku’s allegations come as the ADC steps up its political activities ahead of the 2027 elections. In the same statement, he described the coming election as a defining moment in Nigeria’s democratic history, arguing that Nigerians should have the opportunity to make their choices freely and have their votes count.

Watch the video from 00:20 to 01:29.