The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has accused the Federal Government of using security operatives to intimidate opponents.
Police authorities in Kaduna had invited ex-Kaduna governor, Nasir El-Rufai, and other leaders of the party in the state over alleged public disturbance.
However, in a statement on Friday, the spokesman of the coalition party, Bolaji Abdullahi, faulted the police summons on El-Rufai and some leaders of the ADC in the North-West state, and the attack on the convoy of an ex-attorney-general of the federation, Abubakar Malami.
The ADC said these police actions are a coordinated effort to stifle opposition politics in areas where the ruling party feels threatened by the ADC’s rising influence.
“In this regard, the ADC calls on the Federal Government and the Inspector General of Police to immediately withdraw the politically motivated summons issued to Nasir El-Rufai and other ADC leaders in Kaduna State. These invitations are not about justice or security; they are about silencing dissent and should therefore be halted without delay.”
Abdullahi called on the police to publish the names of those who filed complaints that triggered these recent investigations and summons.
“The public deserves to know who is behind these attacks on political freedom, and what interests they serve,” it said, asking for “security agencies to arrest and prosecute those responsible for the attack on Abubakar Malami’s convoy in Kebbi State, as well as the violent thugs who disrupted our stakeholders’ meeting in Kaduna.
“The failure to bring these perpetrators to justice only emboldens further violence,” the ADC said.
“Finally, we urge the Federal Government to redirect the focus of the Nigeria Police toward their primary duty—protecting the lives and property of all Nigerians— instead of being used as a tool of political manipulation,” it said.
“Our party will stand with our leaders and members. We will not be intimidated.”
