The Kaduna State Police Command has invited former governor Nasir El-Rufai and six senior members of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) for questioning over allegations of criminal conspiracy, incitement, mischief, and causing grievous harm.
The invitation, dated September 4 and signed by Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of the Criminal Investigation Department, Uzairu Abdullahi, directed the ADC chairman to present the affected individuals at the State CID on September 8.
Those listed include El-Rufai; Bashir Sa’idu; Jafaru Sani; Ubaidullah Mohammed (“30”); Nasiru Maikano; Aminu Abita; and Ahmed Rufa’i Hussaini (“Mikiya”).
Earlier on Thursday, police operatives sealed the ADC state secretariat on Ali Akilu Road, Kaduna, just hours before the scheduled visit of the party’s North-West leadership to sympathise with members injured in last week’s attack by suspected thugs.
Reacting to the development, El-Rufai described the police action as unconstitutional.
He said the police commissioner cited a court order banning the meeting but failed to provide any documentation.
“We have not seen the court order. It has not been served on us. Even if it exists, the law requires proper service. Out of respect for the commissioner, we complied, but we consider the action unconstitutional,” El-Rufai said, flanked by ADC leaders. He vowed to challenge the move in court, hinting at a legal battle that could reach the Supreme Court.
The closure of the party office has further heightened political tension in Kaduna.
It follows the violent disruption of an ADC Coalition Transition Committee meeting on September 1, when suspected thugs attacked participants at the NUT Endwell Conference Centre, leaving several injured and property destroyed. Party leaders accused the police of failing to act during the attack, and in some cases, of complicity.
Former Minister of State for Defence and ADC chieftain, Lawal Batagarawa, described the incident as a “coordinated assault” and warned of a drift toward authoritarian rule.
“Such deliberate acts of political brutality represent a dangerous slide into lawlessness and dictatorship,” he said.
The Kaduna State Government, however, has repeatedly accused El-Rufai of instigating unrest. Commissioner for Internal Security, Dr Shehu Shuaibu, alleged that the former governor was plotting to destabilise the state after ADC’s electoral losses, warning that no one would be allowed to threaten peace.
Meanwhile, the ADC North-West Zone condemned both the sealing of its office and the police invitation to its leaders, calling them attempts to stifle opposition.
The zone demanded accountability for the Kaduna attack, prosecution of perpetrators, and an end to restrictions on political gatherings.
“A government that deploys security agencies and violence to silence opponents is a threat to democracy.
“We will resist any attempt to impose one-party rule on this country,” Batagarawa declared.