Sokoto Government Seals ADC Campaign Office Over Ownership Dispute, Seeks NDIC Clarification.
By Bala Salihu Dawakin Kudu
November 3, 2026.
The Sokoto State Government has sealed an office belonging to the African Democratic Congress (ADC) following a dispute over the ownership of the property, pending clarification from the Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC).
The state government said the decision was taken as a precautionary measure to prevent further confrontation and safeguard lives and property after a recent clash involving supporters of the political party and suspected miscreants.
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The Commissioner for Lands and Housing, Nasiru Dantsoho, disclosed this in a statement issued on Monday, explaining that the government intervened after reviewing available documents relating to the ownership of the disputed building.
According to the commissioner, an examination of the property’s Certificate of Occupancy and other relevant documents indicated that the building originally belonged to the defunct Savannah Bank.
He stressed that the government had not found any official documentation establishing that ownership of the property had subsequently been transferred to another individual, organisation or political party.
“Following a review of the Certificate of Occupancy and other relevant documents, we discovered that this property belongs to the Savannah Bank, and that ownership has not changed as of today,” Dantsoho stated.
The commissioner further explained that the state government had formally written to the Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation, which he identified as the custodian of the property, requesting clarification regarding its present ownership and legal status.
However, he said the government was yet to receive an official response from the corporation.
Dantsoho maintained that sealing the premises was necessary to prevent further disputes and possible breakdown of law and order while the government awaited clarification from the relevant authority.
He added that the intervention was primarily aimed at protecting residents, maintaining public peace and preventing further damage to property in the area.
The development has drawn attention to the growing importance of property ownership disputes involving political parties, particularly as political activities and preparations for future elections continue to gather momentum across the country.
The ADC, like other registered political parties, requires functional offices and campaign facilities to coordinate its political activities, mobilise supporters and engage with the electorate. Consequently, the sealing of its campaign office is likely to generate reactions within the party’s political structure in Sokoto State.
Nevertheless, the central issue raised by the government concerns the legal ownership of the building rather than the political activities of the party.
The NDIC’s response is therefore expected to provide important clarification on the property’s ownership status and whether any legitimate transaction or transfer of interest has taken place since the collapse of Savannah Bank.
Until the relevant documentation is established and the matter resolved, the state government appears determined to maintain the closure as a measure to prevent further disturbances.
The incident also highlights the need for political parties and individuals occupying disputed properties to ensure that their claims are supported by verifiable ownership documents, while government authorities must handle such matters transparently and in accordance with the law.
As stakeholders await the NDIC’s official position, attention will remain focused on how the dispute is resolved and whether the ADC will eventually regain access to the premises.
DemocracyNewslineNewspaper November 3rd, 2026
