ADC Accuses FG of Using Police to Intimidate El-Rufai, Suppress Opposition

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has accused the Federal Government of deploying the Nigeria Police to intimidate opposition leaders rather than focusing on safeguarding Nigerians from worsening insecurity.

In a statement issued by its National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, the party described the police summons to former Kaduna State Governor, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, as “politically motivated and an assault not just on individual politicians, but on Nigeria’s democracy itself.”

“At a time when terrorists and criminal gangs freely operate in large parts of the North, the Nigerian Police appears more interested in silencing opposition leaders than protecting citizens,” the statement read.

The ADC also condemned the recent attack on the convoy of former Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, in Birnin Kebbi. The party said several members were injured in the daylight assault near a police outpost, yet no arrests have been made.

“Despite the seriousness of the attack, no arrests have been made, and the perpetrators remain at large,” the party noted.

The ADC further alleged that police in Kaduna looked away as thugs armed with stones and cutlasses disrupted a peaceful gathering of its members. Instead of apprehending the attackers, the police summoned the victims, including El-Rufai.

“Every hour spent harassing El-Rufai and shutting down ADC offices is an hour not spent confronting the terrorists and criminals destroying lives across the North, and the urban bandits destroying the nation,” Abdullahi warned.

The party also criticised the sealing of its Kaduna offices before a scheduled meeting of zonal leaders, describing it as a deliberate attempt to deny its members the right to freely assemble.

According to the ADC, such incidents are not isolated but reflect a systematic attempt to “criminalize” opposition politics, especially in states where the ruling party feels threatened by its growing influence.

The party demanded that the Inspector General of Police immediately withdraw the summons issued to El-Rufai and other leaders, unseal its Kaduna offices, and make public the names of those who filed petitions that triggered the investigations.

“These invitations are not about justice or security, they are about silencing dissent and should therefore be halted without delay,” the statement insisted.

The ADC also called for the arrest and prosecution of those behind the attacks in Kebbi and Kaduna, as well as disciplinary action against police officers who failed to act.

“Those who stood by and allowed political violence to occur should not be wearing the uniform of the Nigerian state,” the party declared.

Reaffirming its resolve, the ADC urged the Federal Government to redirect the police to their constitutional duty of protecting lives and property, instead of deploying them for political ends.

“Our party will stand with our leaders and members. We will not be intimidated,” Abdullahi added.