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Atiku Accuses DSS Of Orchestrating Protests To Halt ADC Rally; Intelligence Agency Orders Investigation
Atiku Accuses DSS Of Orchestrating Protests To Halt ADC Rally; Intelligence Agency Orders Investigation
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar alleges that the DSS is recruiting protesters and positioning trucks in Sokoto to disrupt the ADC rally and create grounds for imposing a curfew.
The ADC presidential candidate accuses the Tinubu administration of using administrative restrictions and political manoeuvres to weaken opposition parties ahead of the 2027 general election.
DSS Director-General, Oluwatosin Adeola Ajayi, orders an internal investigation but dismisses the allegation as baseless and capable of demoralising security operatives.
The secret police says its operatives rescued ADC governorship candidate, Mannir Daniya, during an attack in Sokoto on October 31, while two officers sustained injuries.
November 4, () – Former Vice President and presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Atiku Abubakar, has accused the Department of State Services (DSS) of allegedly mobilising protesters to disrupt the party’s campaign rally in Sokoto and provoke a crisis that could provide grounds for imposing a curfew.
The allegation prompted the secret police to order an internal investigation, although the agency dismissed the claims as baseless and maintained that its operations were guided by the responsibility to protect political actors across party lines.
Atiku made the allegation on Tuesday while briefing journalists in Abuja, describing the alleged plot as part of the President Bola Tinubu administration’s efforts to frustrate opposition activities and undermine democratic competition ahead of the 2027 general election.
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The former vice president claimed that public facilities designated for the ADC campaign activities had been blocked and logistical support withheld, while protesters were allegedly being mobilised from an office along Koko Road, behind Zenith Bank in Sokoto.
He further alleged that trucks had been positioned at strategic locations ahead of the planned rally as part of preparations to disrupt the event.
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“This is not intelligence work. It is political interference dressed in official uniform”, Atiku said.
He accused security agencies of abandoning their constitutional responsibilities when they allegedly became involved in partisan activities.
“Security agencies exist to protect Nigerians and uphold the law, not to recruit protesters or help a political party manufacture a crisis”, he stated.
Atiku also accused the Tinubu administration of devoting considerable attention to weakening credible opposition figures through political manoeuvres, alleging that the government was pursuing an agenda that could reduce Nigeria to a one-party state in all but name.
He linked the alleged obstruction of the ADC rally to the country’s worsening economic conditions, arguing that the government should be defending its performance on the economy rather than frustrating opposition campaigns.
According to him, Nigerians are contending with rising costs of food, transportation, fuel, electricity and other essential commodities, leaving many families struggling to meet their basic needs.
“Families are struggling to feed their children, pay school fees and keep their businesses alive. That is the record this government should be defending before the people, instead of trying to stop a rally”, he said.
The ADC presidential candidate pledged that an administration led by his party would introduce policies to boost local production, strengthen food security, create employment opportunities and reduce the cost of doing business.
He also proposed a targeted production subsidy tied to fuel refined in Nigeria, saying the measure would provide relief to consumers while supporting domestic industries.
Atiku further accused the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of resorting to intimidation and obstruction following what he described as the failure of its recent rally in Kaduna.
“These are the last kicks of a dying horse”, he noted.
He, however, vowed that the ADC would resist administrative restrictions and any alleged attempts to exclude opposition parties from the electoral process.
“I will be in Sokoto tomorrow, God willing, to address the good people of the state”, he declared.
Atiku appealed to residents to remain peaceful and avoid being provoked into violence, urging security agencies to protect commuters, residents and rally participants without political bias.
He also warned that security officers found to have participated in suppressing political freedom would be held accountable under the law.
DSS Orders Probe, Defends Operations In Sokoto
Reacting to the allegations, the DSS said its Director-General, Oluwatosin Adeola Ajayi, had directed an internal investigation into Atiku’s claims, despite describing them as unfounded and capable of undermining the morale of its operatives.
The Service, in a statement issued on Tuesday by its Deputy Director of Public Relations and Strategic Communications, Favour Dozie, said the decision to investigate the allegation was taken in deference to Atiku’s position as a former vice president and elder statesman.
The agency maintained that its operations were to protect political parties and their candidates, irrespective of their political affiliations.
“Though these operations to protect all political parties are at variance with the elder statesman’s allegation and tend to demoralise our gallant operatives who are risking their lives in the line of duty, the DGDSS has still ordered an investigation into the allegation in deference to the elder statesman”, the statement read.
To support its position, the DSS cited an incident involving the ADC governorship candidate in Sokoto State, Mannir Daniya, whom it said was rescued by its operatives during an attack on October 31, 2026.
According to the Service, its personnel evacuated Daniya to safety during the incident, while two operatives sustained injuries after being assaulted by the attackers.
The agency said the injured officers were still receiving medical treatment.
“For the Records, DSS Operatives deployed to Sokoto ADC Governorship Candidate, Mannir DANIYA, evacuated him to safety unhurt on 31st October 2026 when attacked in Sokoto. Two (2) DSS operatives were assaulted during the incident and are still being treated in the hospital”, Dozie stated.
The DSS added that Daniya personally contacted the Sokoto State Director of the Service to express appreciation for the intervention and request additional security reinforcement.
The presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress NDC Peter Obi
DSS Recalls Arrest Over Threats Against Peter Obi
The secret police also cited its handling of a separate security incident involving Peter Obi, presidential candidate of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), as evidence of its commitment to protecting opposition politicians.
It recalled that on March 2, 2026, its operatives arrested Monday Udeme Steven in Rivers State over threats to attack Obi.
The Service said the suspect was subsequently prosecuted at a Federal High Court in Rivers State and sentenced to two years’ imprisonment.
“Recall also that, on 2nd March 2026, the Service arrested Monday Udeme Steven in Rivers State for threatening to attack Peter OBI, NDC Presidential Candidate. He was prosecuted by the Service in a Rivers Federal High Court and sentenced to two (2) years’ imprisonment”, the statement further read.
The agency also addressed a separate allegation raised by the African Action Congress (AAC) presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, concerning an incident in Ekiti State.
It commended the Nigeria Police Force for its handling of the matter, disclosing that preliminary police findings classified the incident as an altercation.
The police reportedly arrested 11 suspects in connection with the incident.
The DSS said it would await the conclusion of the police investigation and the submission of the final report rather than dissipate energy on the matter.
Reaffirming its commitment to professionalism and non-partisanship amid increasing political activities ahead of the 2027 general election, the Service said it would continue to protect political actors across party lines. It also assured Nigerians that it would remain accountable under Ajayi’s leadership.
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