El-Rufai: ADC Accuses FG Of Using Security Agencies To Silence Opposition

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has accused the Federal Government of weaponising security agencies to intimidate political opponents, warning that such actions threaten Nigeria’s democracy.

The allegation comes after the Kaduna State Police Command invited former Kaduna State Governor, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, and some party leaders over alleged public disturbance.

In a statement on Friday, the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, condemned the police summons, describing it as a clear attempt to suppress the growing popularity of the ADC in the North-West.

Abdullahi also decried what he called a pattern of targeted harassment, citing the reported attack on the convoy of a former Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, as evidence of orchestrated intimidation against perceived opponents of the ruling party.

“The ADC views these actions as part of a coordinated effort to stifle opposition politics, particularly in areas where the ruling party feels threatened by our rising influence,” the statement read in part.

The spokesman urged the Federal Government to stop using state institutions as political weapons and instead focus on strengthening democracy through tolerance of dissent.

“The use of police and other security agencies to hound opposition figures is a dangerous precedent that undermines the very principles of democratic governance. Our nation cannot afford to slide into authoritarianism under the guise of maintaining law and order,” Abdullahi added.

The ADC called on civil society organisations, the media, and the international community to take note of the alleged harassment and hold the government accountable for actions it described as undemocratic.

Neither the Presidency nor the Kaduna State Police Command has issued an immediate response to the ADC’s allegations.