The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has rescheduled the official launch of its presidential campaign in Sokoto State from October 31 to November 4, 2026, amid allegations of interference with accommodation arrangements for party delegates.
The postponement was announced on Wednesday by the Director-General of the ADC Presidential Campaign Council in Sokoto State, Bello Aliyu Goronyo.
According to Goronyo, the adjustment was made to address planning and coordination requirements ahead of the campaign event.
He explained that the additional time would allow organisers to complete preparations and ensure the successful conduct of the programme.
The campaign flag-off, initially scheduled for Saturday, October 31, is now expected to take place on Wednesday, November 4.
Although the campaign council attributed the postponement to organisational considerations, the announcement came amid complaints by the party concerning accommodation difficulties allegedly encountered by its delegates.
The ADC had accused the Sokoto State Government of pressuring hotel operators to refuse accommodation to individuals travelling to the state for the campaign.
The party further alleged that some delegates who had already booked hotel rooms were subsequently asked to vacate their accommodation.
However, the allegations have not been independently verified, and no evidence establishing a government directive to hotel operators was provided in the supplied account.
The campaign council also did not explicitly identify the accommodation dispute as the reason for postponing the event.
Consequently, it remains unclear whether the reported difficulties influenced the decision to change the campaign schedule.
Goronyo apologised to party officials, stakeholders, supporters and members of the public who had made arrangements to attend the programme on the original date.
He urged intending participants to update their schedules to reflect the new date and expressed appreciation for their understanding.
The campaign director also thanked party members and supporters for their continued cooperation as preparations for the event proceeded.
The Sokoto gathering is expected to attract prominent ADC figures, including the party’s presidential candidate, former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar.
Other party leaders and campaign officials are also expected to participate in activities marking the commencement of the presidential campaign in the state.
The event forms part of the ADC’s preparations for the 2027 general elections, during which the party intends to present its presidential candidate and campaign priorities to voters.
The controversy surrounding hotel accommodation has nevertheless introduced an additional issue into preparations for the Sokoto programme.
The supplied statement did not indicate whether the party had formally reported the alleged accommodation restrictions to security agencies or other relevant authorities.
It also did not provide details of alternative accommodation arrangements for affected delegates.
For now, the campaign council has maintained that the event will proceed on November 4, with organisers continuing preparations for the rescheduled gathering.
Ezeana Emmanuel
