From Umar Danladi Ado, Sokoto
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has accused the Sokoto State Government of directing hotels in the state capital to deny accommodation to its delegates ahead of the party’s presidential campaign flag-off in the state.
The party also alleged that some delegates who had already secured accommodation were being forced to leave their hotels following the purported directive.
The ADC presidential campaign spokesperson, Dahiru Maishanu, condemned the alleged action, describing it as irresponsible and an abuse of executive power.
Maishanu said it was unacceptable for the state government to allegedly direct both public and privately owned hotels to deny accommodation to paying guests.
He also condemned the alleged eviction of customers who had already paid for their rooms.
“This action smacks of executive rascality and unwarranted partisanship by the state government and its agents,” he said.
He alleged that hotels had been telling prospective guests since Monday that they were fully booked through Sunday, a development he claimed was intended to frustrate accommodation arrangements for delegates arriving from different parts of the country.
According to the spokesperson, the alleged restrictions went beyond preventing new reservations, as some delegates who had already checked into hotels were reportedly being asked to leave.
Maishanu, however, insisted that the alleged intimidation and harassment would not deter party members and supporters from attending the campaign flag-off.
He assured supporters that the event would proceed as scheduled, with the party’s presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar; its Sokoto State leader, Senator Aminu Waziri Tambuwal; and other party leaders and members expected to attend.
The campaign flag-off is scheduled to take place in Sokoto on Saturday, with delegates and supporters expected from across the country.
