Presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Atiku Abubakar, has alleged that members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) are going round villages in northern Nigeria to buy voters’ cards in an attempt to manipulate the electoral process.

Atiku made the allegation on Wednesday in Sokoto while addressing supporters at the flag-off of the ADC presidential campaign, where he urged Nigerians to come out in large numbers to vote and protect their votes during the forthcoming elections.

Atiku and his entourage arrived in Sokoto at about 1pm but did not reach the ADC State Secretariat, the venue of the campaign rally, until around 4:30pm, following the large crowd that turned out to welcome them.

He warned that failure to turn out massively could create an opportunity for those allegedly buying voters’ cards to manipulate the process and give the impression that the opposition lacked sufficient support in the North.

“Let us come out and vote as if it were Judgment Day. Come out in large numbers, protect your votes and escort them until they are secured.”

“If you fail to turn out in large numbers, people will go from village to village buying voters’ cards to create the impression that we do not have as many supporters as those in the South. Go out and cast your vote, and protect it,” he said.

The former Vice President said Sokoto was chosen for the campaign flag-off because of its historical and religious significance, describing the state as a centre of peace and peaceful coexistence in Nigeria.

“They said we would not come to Sokoto, but here we are. They said we would not hold the campaign rally, but we have come.

“I follow history, and I also believe in peaceful coexistence. Sokoto is a centre of peace, and people of all faiths understand the importance of Sokoto to Nigeria. That is why we decided to launch our campaign in Sokoto,” he said.

Atiku promised that an ADC administration would tackle insecurity, reopen Nigeria’s land borders and make Hajj and Christian pilgrimages affordable for Nigerians.

He also extended his condolences to families of those killed in various attacks across the country.

The ADC presidential candidate further urged Nigerians to come out with their families and vote for the party, describing participation in the electoral process as a civic and their paramount responsibility

Earlier, the Sokoto State Coordinator of the ADC campaign, Senator Ibrahim Lamido, described Sokoto as a one-party state, insisting that the ADC was the party with overwhelming support in the state.

He called on supporters to mobilise and vote for all ADC candidates in the forthcoming elections. (Daily Trust)