The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has called on the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) to withdraw summons issued to former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai and ex-Attorney-General of the Federation Abubakar Malami, describing the move as politically motivated and aimed at silencing dissent.
In a statement released Friday, ADC National Publicity Secretary Bolaji Abdullahi accused the police of prioritizing intimidation of opposition figures while neglecting pressing security threats. He also criticized the sealing of the party’s Kaduna office and the targeting of victims of violence rather than perpetrators.
Abdullahi affirmed ADC’s resolve, stating, “We demand that the police authorities unseal the ADC office in Kaduna State, and stop the illegal obstruction of lawful political activity. No democracy can thrive where opposition party structures are routinely shut down under vague pretexts.”
He further called for transparency and accountability: “The Nigeria Police must also 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.”
The ADC also pressed for action against those responsible for violence and neglect. “We further demand that security agencies 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.”
Abdullahi went on to urge internal police scrutiny: “In addition, we call for an internal disciplinary process within the police to investigate officers who were present during these incidents but failed to act. Those who stood by and allowed political violence to occur should not be wearing the uniform of the Nigerian state.”
Finally, the ADC appealed to the federal government to restore focus to the police’s core responsibilities: “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.”
