The governorship candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Sokoto State, Hon. Manir Muhammad Dan’iya, has reportedly escaped unhurt after suspected gunmen opened fire on his convoy near the Sultan Abubakar III International Airport on Friday night.

The incident occurred at about 9pm on October 30, 2026, shortly after Dan’iya had escorted former Sokoto State Governor and Senator representing Sokoto South, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, to the airport.

The candidate’s bulletproof sports utility vehicles were reportedly damaged in the shooting.

Confirming the incident, the Sokoto State Police Command’s Public Relations Officer, DSP Ahmad Rufae, said the command had received a report of the incident at the airport and would take necessary action.

Sokoto State ADC governorship candidate, Hon Manir Muhammad Daniya

He added that anyone found culpable would be dealt with in accordance with the law.

In a statement issued by his media aide, Aminu Abdullahi, Dan’iya alleged that personnel of the Sokoto Marshal and the Sokoto State Community Guard blocked his convoy and prevented it from passing through the airport area.

According to the statement, the personnel claimed they were acting on directives from their superiors not to allow ADC members into Sokoto State.

It further alleged that attempts by members of Dan’iya’s security team to resolve the confrontation failed before gunshots were fired, damaging the candidate’s bulletproof vehicles.

The statement also claimed that two Department of State Services (DSS) operatives attached to the candidate’s security team were detained during the confrontation.

Dan’iya described the incident as a threat to his personal safety and a development capable of undermining democratic freedoms, political participation and peaceful coexistence in the state.

The ADC candidate also alleged that earlier on Friday, his team had observed unusual deployments of Sokoto Marshal and Community Guard personnel at various entry points into the state, where vehicles bearing ADC inscriptions were allegedly stopped from entering.

He said what initially appeared to be routine security operations had raised concerns about a possible attempt to restrict the movement and political activities of opposition members.

“If security personnel can block a gubernatorial candidate, fire gunshots during a confrontation, damage his vehicle and detain officers assigned to his protection, then the people of Sokoto deserve urgent answers.

“No one should be above the law, and no security outfit should be used to threaten political opponents,” Dan’iya was quoted as saying.

The candidate disclosed that he had visited the Commissioner of Police in the state to formally report the incident, present his account of what transpired and seek intervention.

He called on the Inspector-General of Police, the Director-General of the DSS and other relevant security authorities to investigate the incident, identify those responsible and determine whether any unlawful orders had been issued.

Dan’iya also demanded the immediate release of the two DSS operatives, if they remained in custody, and urged the authorities to preserve available video footage, operational records, eyewitness accounts and other evidence for an impartial investigation.

He appealed to the Federal Government, the National Assembly, human rights organisations and the international community to pay attention to the security situation in Sokoto, warning that political intimidation and violence could threaten the credibility of the democratic process.

The ADC candidate also challenged the Sokoto State Government to clarify the alleged directives attributed to the security personnel and ensure that state-controlled security outfits operated within the law and without political interference.

“Sokoto is not the property of any government or political party. Every Nigerian has the right to enter the state, move freely and participate in lawful political activities. Any order intended to exclude ADC members from Sokoto would be unacceptable and must be investigated,” he said.

Despite the incident, Dan’iya urged his supporters to remain calm, avoid provocation and refrain from retaliation, insisting that neither intimidation nor violence would make him or the ADC abandon their constitutional and democratic rights.

He said he would continue to pursue his political ambition peacefully and lawfully, while urging security agencies to protect citizens irrespective of their political affiliations.

The allegations contained in the ADC statement had yet to be independently verified as of the time of filing this report.

There was also no official response from the Sokoto State Government, the Sokoto Marshal or the Community Guard explaining their account of the incident.

The police and other relevant security authorities are expected to clarify the circumstances surrounding the reported shooting, the alleged detention of the DSS operatives and the damage to the candidate’s convoy. (Saturday Vanguard)

The Enugu State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has released an updated list of its Campaign Council.

In a press release at the weekend, the state chairman of the party, Dr Martin Chukwunweike, and the state secretary, Hon. Chukwudi Nnadozie, said the update had become imperative as more critical stakeholders across the state had expressed their readiness to be part of the team to deliver President Bola Tinubu, Governor Peter Mbah and all APC candidates in the 2027 general elections.

“So, we are happy to welcome them on board as the party grows from strength to strength for a landslide victory come 2027,” the statement read.

Meanwhile, a perusal of the list showed that nothing had changed in the leadership of the Campaign Council. There were mainly additions to the membership cadre and minor housekeeping.

The Campaign Council, comprising 51 directorates, is still chaired by the governor of the state, Dr Peter Mbah. The vice chairmen are the deputy governor, Barr. Ifeanyi Ossai; the Deputy National Chairman, APC (South); the Speaker of the Enugu State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Uchenna Ugwu; the Chairman of the party in the state, Dr Martin Chukwunweike; and the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Chidiebere Onyia.

The Council is also headlined by an Advisory Council comprising a former President of the Senate, Ken Nnamani; a former governor of old Anambra State, Senator Jim Nwobodo; a former military governor of old Anambra State and Chief of the Naval Staff, Rear Admiral Allison Madueke (Rtd.); a former Minister of Power, Prof. Barth Nnaji; a former Minister of Information and governorship candidate of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) in the 2023 governorship election in the state, Mr Frank Nweke Jr.; business mogul Prince Arthur Eze; Senator Chuka Utazi; and former deputy governors Mrs Cecilia Ezeilo, Bishop Ralph Nwoye, Dr Sunday Onyebuchi and Chief Okechukwu Itanyi, among other high-profile personalities.

Chief Charlie Mbah is the Director-General, while Dr Eric Oluedo served as the Secretary-General.

Senator Osita Ngwu, Senator Ikeje Asogwa and Senator Kelvin Chukwu are the Coordinators of the Campaign Council in Enugu West, Enugu North and Enugu East, respectively.

Deacon Okey Ogbodo, Dr Dan Shere and Hon. S.K.E. Udeh-Okoye are the Deputy Campaign Directors-General for Enugu East Senatorial District, Enugu North Senatorial District and Enugu West Senatorial District, respectively.

Barr. Steve Oruruo is the Campaign Spokesperson and Director of the Public Communication Committee, with Dr Austin Okolie as co-spokesperson and Dr Malachy Agbo as Secretary.

Mazi Uche Anichukwu and Dan Nwomeh, both drawn from the Governor’s media team, head the Directorate of New Media and Strategic Communication and the Directorate of Mainstream Media, respectively. Dr Collins Ogbu is the Secretary of the former, while Dr Reuben Onyishi is the Secretary of the latter.

Barr. Victor Udeh leads the Administration Directorate, while Dr Ben Nwoye and Arc. Uche Nwatu are the Director and Co-Director of the Fundraising Committee, respectively.

A former Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Ikechukwu Ogalla (Rtd.), chairs the Security Directorate, while a former Inspector-General of Police, Ogbono Onovo (Rtd.), is the Secretary.

The Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology is in charge of the Directorate of Government Appointees Coordination (Federal and State), with Prof. Chidiebere Onyia as Secretary, while a former Speaker of the Enugu State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Eugene Odoh, heads Inter-Party Affairs.

The APC State Woman Leader, Mrs Esther Edeh, is at the helm of the Women Mobilisation Directorate, with the APC South East Woman Leader, Dr Oby Ajih, as Co-Director and the Commissioner for Children, Gender Affairs and Social Development, Mrs Ngozi Enih, as Secretary.

Senator Chuka Utazi heads the Directorate of Parliamentary Mobilisation, with a former Deputy Minority Leader, Hon. Toby Okechukwu, as Secretary, while Senator Ben Collins Ndu is the Director of Contact and Mobilisation, with Barr. Peter Okonkwo as Co-Director and Mrs Lovelyn Obioma Nweze appointed as Secretary.

Barr. Victor Udeh is the Director of the Directorate of Election Planning and Monitoring, which has the Political Adviser to the Governor, Chief Frank Anioma, as Secretary.

The Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Dame Ugochi Madueke, leads the Directorate of Welfare, which has Barr. Mrs Amaka Alinta as Secretary, while Dame Rita Mbah is the Director of Event Management, with Ifeoma Azike as Secretary.

The Commissioner for Chieftaincy Affairs, Chief Charles Egumgbe, leads the Directorate of Monitoring, which has a former Speaker of the Enugu State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Edward Ubosi, as Secretary.

Engr. Uchenna Nwobodo is in charge of the Directorate of Works and Venue, with Engr. Christian Enebe as Secretary.

Hon. USA Igweshi has returned to his 2023 role as Director of the Directorate of Support Groups, while Dr Chiedozie Nwafor will serve as Secretary.

Nollywood star Rachael Okonkwo, popularly known as Nkoli Nwa Nsukka, is the Director of the Directorate of Creativity and Entertainment, while the General Manager of the Enugu State Community and Social Development Agency (CSDA), Monday Diamond, heads the directorate’s secretariat.

The Town Unions Coordination Directorate is headed by Chief Arinze Ogbodo, while the secretariat will be manned by Hon. Charles Chime.

READ UPDATED LIST BELOW:

ENUGU APC UPDATED CAMPAIGN COUNCIL LIST

No no no Presidential candidate of Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Mr Peter Obi, said that President Bola Tinubu has travelled over 260 days outside the country, but can’t spend 36 days to go round the states of the federation to campaign for next year’s general election.

President Tinubu had said that he may not campaign in all the 36 states of the country for next year’s general election because governance also require his attention.

Obi who declared himself as the leading presidential candidate for the 2027 election, said the President does not have the energy and competence to run the country and therefore should pack out of Aso Rock, go home and rest.

He stated this on Thursday in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State capital, during a town hall political summit.

“I want President Tinubu to come to Abakaliki to tell the people what he has done in the past three years. I want him to come to Abakaliki to tell you what he used the money he has been borrowing to do for the past three years.

The former governor of Anambra state urged the Presidential candidate of All Progressives Congress (APC), to made himself available in Ebonyi state to tell Nigerians what he has used their monies he borrowed to do.

“President Tinubu has stayed over 260 days out of Nigeria yet, he cannot spend up to 36 days to go round Nigeria to tell the people what he has been doing for the past three years. We will not do that.

“President Tinubu does not have the competence to run Nigeria. He does not have the energy to run Nigeria. He should pack his things, go home and rest”, he said

Obi warned against dividing South East and declared that he was seeking votes of the electorate as a Nigerian who is eminently qualified for the presidency.

“Let nobody divide the South East. I don’t want the people of Ebonyi to vote for me because I am from the South East. I don’t want you to vote for me because I am an Igbo person.

“My dear people, I want you to vote for me because I am qualified to be the President of this country. I want you to vote for me because I am the leading candidate”, he opined

He announced to declare emergency on hunger, insecurity, education, corruption, health, power and other challenges confronting the nation and threatened to jail anyone who embezzles public fund if he emerges the President.

“We will declare emergency on about seven items. Number one is that we must unite Nigeria. We don’t want people to be around Nigeria saying, I am Igbo, I am Yoruba, I am Hausa, I am this, I am that.

“We must unite this country, our pride should not be consideration of employment, this or that. We will operate federal character for all the jobs we have. So, we must unite the country.

“We will declare emergency in the security of lives and property in Nigeria. We will deal with insecurity decisively. Nobody will be in charge, we will be in charge.

“Let me assure today, if I am President of this country, kids come to school and somebody takes them into the bush, we will be in the bush with such person. They will not be there alone, we will be there with those kids. We will defend the country because we are going to equip the security agencies to make sure that our country is safe.

“We will declare emergency in corruption. I will fight corruption like nobody has fought it before. Public money must be used for public good, nobody will steal our money again. If you do it, you will go to jail starting from the President.

“We will declare emergency in education.

“We have over 18 million children out of school, we must reduce it. We will declare emergency on hunger. We have vast lands, our farmers must go back to farm, be able to cultivate, give us what we eat and be able to export. We will do that.

“We will declare emergency in health. We must have a functional healthcare in all the political ward of Nigeria. Every ward must have it, we have the resources to do it,” Obi stated.

Peter Obi and President Tinubu