Democracy Under Siege? ADC Blasts Police Over El-Rufai Summons, Malami Attack

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has raised alarm over what it described as the “weaponisation of law enforcement” against opposition leaders, even as criminal gangs continue to terrorise communities across the country.

In a statement issued on Friday, the party condemned the police summons issued to former Kaduna State Governor, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, and the attack on the convoy of former Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami (SAN), in Kebbi State. The attack left several ADC members injured and shocked.

The party, through its National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, described the incidents as “dangerous signals for Nigeria’s democracy” and warned that the Nigeria Police Force appears more interested in silencing opposition voices than tackling banditry and criminal violence.

“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, and the urban bandits destabilising the nation,” the statement read.

The ADC said Malami’s convoy was attacked in broad daylight in the GRA area of Birnin Kebbi, barely meters from a police outpost, yet no arrests have been made. Similarly, a peaceful gathering of ADC members in Kaduna was disrupted by thugs armed with stones and cutlasses, with police reportedly failing to intervene.

The party accused Kaduna State police of sealing off its offices ahead of a planned meeting of zonal leaders, a move it described as a deliberate attempt to stifle political activity.

“These acts by the police are not isolated. They represent a systematic attempt to criminalise opposition politics, especially in states where the ruling party feels threatened by the growing influence of the ADC,” the statement added.

The ADC is demanding the immediate withdrawal of the politically motivated summons issued to El-Rufai and other party leaders, the reopening of its Kaduna offices, and the prosecution of those responsible for the attacks in both Kaduna and Kebbi States. It also called for an internal investigation into police officers who allegedly failed to act during the incidents.

The party concluded that the Federal Government should refocus the Nigeria Police on protecting citizens, rather than using the force as a tool for political suppression.

Mallam Abdullahi emphasised, “Our party will stand with our leaders and members. We will not be intimidated.”