The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has accused the Nigeria Police Force of waging a deliberate campaign to “criminalize opposition politics,” alleging that security agencies are more interested in intimidating political rivals than addressing the worsening insecurity facing Nigerians.
In a statement issued by its National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, the party cited two recent incidents as evidence of what it described as state-backed harassment.
The ADC pointed to a violent disruption of a party gathering in Kaduna, which had in attendance former Governor Nasir El-Rufai. According to the party, armed thugs stormed the venue wielding stones and cutlasses, while security operatives allegedly failed to intervene.
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The statement further alleged that instead of pursuing the attackers, the police have summoned victims of the assault, including El-Rufai.
Similarly, the party condemned the decision of security authorities to seal its Kaduna secretariat ahead of a scheduled meeting, describing it as a calculated attempt to suppress freedom of association and silence the opposition.
The second incident highlighted by the ADC was an attack on the convoy of former Minister of Justice and prominent ADC chieftain, Abubakar Malami, in Birnin Kebbi. The party lamented that although the attack occurred in broad daylight near a police outpost, no suspects have been apprehended to date.
“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,” the party stated.
The ADC has therefore called on the Federal Government and the Inspector-General of Police to withdraw what it termed “politically motivated summons” issued against El-Rufai and other party leaders.
The party also demanded the immediate reopening of its Kaduna office, the arrest and prosecution of those behind the attacks on El-Rufai and Malami, and an internal investigation into police officers who allegedly failed in their duty during the incidents.
Reiterating its stance, the ADC declared that it will not be intimidated by security pressure and vowed to continue standing firm with its members across the country.
