In a statement issued on Friday, Bolaji Abdullahi, the party’s National Publicity Secretary, said recent developments — including the police summons to Nasir el-Rufai, former governor of Kaduna State, and the violent attack on the convoy of former Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami — were “an assault on democracy itself.”
Abdullahi alleged that the police appear more preoccupied with silencing political opponents than protecting ordinary citizens, even as terrorists and bandits continue to wreak havoc across the northern region.
“What we are witnessing is a systematic attempt to criminalise opposition politics in Nigeria. These acts are not isolated. They are part of a deliberate effort to weaken democratic participation in areas where the ruling party feels threatened by the growing influence of the ADC,” Abdullahi said.
Kaduna, Kebbi Incidents
The ADC spokesperson recounted how thugs armed with stones and cutlasses recently stormed an ADC gathering in Kaduna while police officers on the ground allegedly “looked away.” Instead of arresting the attackers, he said, the police went ahead to issue summons to the party leaders who were victims of the assault.
In Kebbi State, Malami’s convoy was reportedly attacked in broad daylight near a police outpost, yet no arrests have been made. Similarly, the ADC’s Kaduna office was sealed off by police ahead of a scheduled zonal leaders’ meeting — an action the party considers a violation of its constitutional right to assemble.
ADC’s Demands
The party has demanded:
- Immediate withdrawal of the summons issued to el-Rufai and other ADC leaders,
- The unsealing of its Kaduna office,
- The arrest and prosecution of those behind the attacks in Kebbi and Kaduna,
- Disciplinary measures against police officers who failed to act during the incidents.
According to Abdullahi, the government must redirect the Nigeria Police toward its core mandate of protecting lives and property rather than being used as a tool for political manipulation.
No Retreat, No Surrender
The ADC vowed to continue defending its leaders and members, insisting it will not bow to intimidation.
“Our democracy can only thrive when all parties are allowed to operate freely, without harassment or fear. We stand resolute with our members and leaders. Nigeria’s security forces must be seen as neutral guardians of the nation, not instruments of political oppression,” the statement read.
