Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and the African Democratic Congress have accused the Federal Government of intimidation and witch-hunt following a police invitation to former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, and his allies over allegations of criminal conspiracy.
In a letter dated September 4, 2025, and signed by the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of the Criminal Investigation Department, Uzairu Abdullahi, El-Rufai and six ADC leaders were summoned to appear before the State Criminal Investigation Department on September 8.
The allegations against them bordered on criminal conspiracy, incitement of public disturbance, mischief, and causing grievous hurt.
Those listed in the letter were El-Rufai’s former Chief of Staff, Bashir Sa’idu, Jafaru Sani, Ubaidullah Mohammed, Nasiru Maikano, Aminu Abita and Ahmed Hussaini, aka Mikiya.
The ADC state chairman was directed to produce the individuals for questioning.
El-Rufai vs Kaduna govt
El-Rufai and his successor, Governor Uba Sani, had been embroiled in political disputes.
Tension had been building between the duo after El-Rufai’s allies lost by-elections in the state.
Matters got to a head last Saturday when a meeting of the ADC to inaugurate a transition committee in Kaduna State was disrupted by political thugs.
The hoodlums reportedly attacked attendees with weapons, causing injuries and property damage.
The police had blamed El-Rufai for the affray, an allegation he denied.
A recent Channels Television interview in which the former governor also accused the government of “empowering bandits” led to rebuttals by both the federal and state governments.
The Kaduna State Government in particular accused El-Rufai of attempting to destabilise the state.
In a statement by the Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Dr Suleiman Shuaibu, the state said the former governor’s recent actions amounted to “provocation, manipulation and incitement,” which posed a threat to peace and development.
The government further alleged that El-Rufai convened an “illegal and chaotic meeting” of his associates last Saturday, which degenerated into violence, including gunshots that endangered innocent citizens.
He was subsequently summoned by the police on Thursday.
Atiku, ADC slam govt
Reacting to the development on Friday, former Vice President Atiku said recent events in Kaduna, Katsina, and other areas highlighted “a troubling trend towards authoritarianism” under the administration of President Bola Tinubu.
In a statement on his Facebook page, Atiku described the police summons of El-Rufai and other ADC leaders, the alleged attack on former Attorney General Abubakar Malami, and the disruption of the Katsina Elders Forum security meeting as part of “a coordinated and dangerous assault on dissenting voices, civic freedoms, and the very essence of pluralistic democracy.”
He warned that criminalising opposition and undermining peaceful civic engagement could push Nigeria towards authoritarian rule, urging citizens and leaders alike to defend democracy.
Similarly, the ADC spokesperson, Bolaji Abdullahi, accused the police of being used to harass opposition figures while neglecting the insecurity ravaging communities.
