“Leave El-Rufai alone, focus on bandits” – ADC calls out FG over intimidation
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has called out the federal government for intimidating El-Rufai, Malami, and other opposition leaders, while failing to address the issues of insecurity.
Bolaji Abdullahi, ADC national publicity secretary, released a statement on Friday to criticise the recent attack on the convoy of Abubakar Malami and the summons issued to Nasir El-Rufai.
According to the statement, El-Rufai has been a target for the police since he called out the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) over banditry allegations.
Abdullahi has thus described the developments as an assault not just on individual politicians, but on Nigeria’s democracy itself.
He accused the FG of using security operatives as a means to silence opposition leaders rather than protect the citizens, citing the high rate of insurgency in the north.
Abdullahi alleged that thugs armed with stones and cutlasses recently attacked an ADC gathering in Kaduna with police officers looking the other away instead.
“In Kaduna, the police reportedly looked away as thugs—armed with stones and cutlasses—attacked a peaceful ADC gathering.
“Instead of arresting those responsible, the police are now targeting the victims with summons,” the statement read.
Speaking further, the ADC spokesperson attributed the series of orchestrated attacks on the party and its key members as an attempt to put an end to the influence of the party.
“These acts by the police are not isolated. They represent a systematic attempt to criminalise opposition politics, especially in states where the ruling party feels threatened by the growing influence of the ADC,” Abdullahi said.
The ADC further demanded that the summons issued to El-Rufai and other ADC leaders be withdrawn, insisting the invitations were politically motivated.
Speaking further, the party pushed for the arrest and prosecution of those responsible for the Kebbi and Kaduna attacks, and disciplinary action against police officers who failed to act during the incidents.
“The federal government must 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,” Abdullahi said.
