Closure of ADC Office: Amnesty International Call Security Agencies to protect Democracy
Amnesty International strongly condemns the arbitrary closure of the office of African Democratic Party (ADC) by Sokoto state government using a non-existent dispute over “ownership of the building.” The closure of the office is clearly an attempt by the Sokoto state government to suppress opposition and undermine freedom of association — and the right of all political parties to carry out their activities freely.
Sokoto state government is demonstrating utter disdain for basic tenets of democracy by using powers of the state to suffocate the political space — in a desperate bid to give unlawful advantage to the ruling party. Using bizarre excuses like “a review of the Certificate of Occupancy and other relevant documents,” of the purported building to justify sealing of the ADC office in Sokoto exposes the desperation of the state government to undermine political plurality.
The latest lawless actions of Sokoto state government came days after the convoy of the governorship candidate of ADC Hon. Manir Muhammad Dan’iya was reportedly attacked by suspected gunmen near the Sultan Abubakar III International Airport on Friday 30 October.
Far from condemning these violations – which are continuing with apparent impunity, security agencies in Sokoto state have failed to do their job of ensuring and facilitating the rule of law and upholding the rights of all persons to carry out peaceful political activities.
The atmosphere of fear and intimidation in Sokoto state is hampering freedom of assembly and association. Security agencies must take adequate measures to stop the deterioration of human rights in Sokoto state
