ADC To Police, FG: Leave Our Leaders Alone, Face the Bandits

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has launched a scathing attack against Nigeria’s law enforcement agencies, accusing them of abandoning their core security responsibilities to harass opposition leaders while criminal violence ravages communities nationwide. The party’s National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, condemned what he described as the politically motivated police summons issued to former Kaduna State Governor, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, calling it a dangerous precedent for Nigeria’s democratic institutions.

The ADC’s statement comes at a time when the country faces unprecedented security challenges, with terrorist groups and criminal gangs operating with impunity across large swathes of northern Nigeria. The party argued that every hour spent pursuing opposition politicians represents time not invested in confronting the real threats to national security. According to the ADC leadership, the Nigeria Police Force has transformed from a national security institution into what they termed “a willing tool of political suppression for the federal government.”

The controversy has sparked broader concerns about the instrumentalization of law enforcement agencies for political purposes, with critics arguing that such actions undermine the rule of law and democratic governance. The ADC’s allegations suggest a systematic pattern of using state security apparatus to silence dissent rather than address the growing menace of banditry and terrorism that continues to claim innocent lives across the nation.

Violent Attacks Rock ADC Leadership in Multiple States

In a disturbing escalation of political violence, the ADC has documented serious attacks on its leadership in both Kaduna and Kebbi states, raising questions about the adequacy of security protection for opposition figures. The most shocking incident occurred in Kebbi State, where the convoy of former Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami (SAN), was violently attacked in broad daylight within the GRA area of Birnin Kebbi, remarkably close to a police outpost.

The attack on Malami’s convoy, which left several party members injured and traumatized, has been particularly concerning given its brazen nature and proximity to law enforcement presence. Despite the seriousness of the incident and the high-profile nature of the target, the ADC reports that no arrests have been made, and the perpetrators remain at large. This failure to apprehend those responsible has raised questions about either the competence or willingness of security agencies to protect opposition figures.

In Kaduna State, the situation has been equally troubling, with reports of thugs armed with stones and cutlasses attacking a peaceful ADC gathering while police allegedly stood by without intervention. The party claims that instead of arresting the attackers, law enforcement authorities have now turned their attention to the victims, issuing summons to those who were targeted. This reversal of justice, according to ADC officials, represents a fundamental breakdown in the rule of law and the protection of democratic rights.

Democratic Rights Under Siege as Party Offices Sealed

The ADC has raised serious constitutional concerns following the sealing of its party offices in Kaduna State by police authorities, describing the action as a deliberate attempt to stifle fundamental rights to assembly and political organization. The office closure occurred ahead of a planned meeting of zonal leaders, effectively preventing the party from conducting legitimate political activities and consultations with its membership base.

This action represents what many observers view as an escalation in the suppression of opposition political activities, moving beyond individual harassment to institutional obstruction. The sealing of party offices raises fundamental questions about the right to political participation and the ability of opposition parties to function effectively within Nigeria’s democratic framework. Constitutional lawyers have noted that such actions, if proven to be politically motivated, could constitute a violation of citizens’ rights to freedom of assembly and association as guaranteed under the Nigerian Constitution.

The ADC has characterized these actions as part of a broader systematic attempt to criminalize opposition politics, particularly in states where the ruling party perceives the ADC as a growing threat to its political dominance. The party argues that these tactics represent a dangerous departure from democratic norms and could set a precedent for further suppression of political dissent across the country.

Demands for Justice and Accountability Mount

In response to these developments, the ADC has issued a comprehensive set of demands aimed at restoring democratic norms and ensuring accountability within Nigeria’s law enforcement agencies. The party’s primary demand centers on the immediate withdrawal of what it terms “politically motivated summons” issued to Nasir El-Rufai and other ADC leaders in Kaduna State, arguing that these invitations are designed to silence dissent rather than pursue legitimate justice.

The party has also called for the immediate unsealing of its Kaduna State offices, demanding an end to what it describes as illegal obstruction of lawful political activities. ADC leadership has emphasized that no democracy can thrive in an environment where opposition party structures are routinely shut down under dubious pretexts, arguing that such actions undermine the very foundation of democratic governance.

Additionally, the ADC has demanded transparency regarding the sources of complaints that triggered the recent investigations and summons. The party insists that the public has a right to know who is behind these attacks on political freedom and what interests they serve. This call for transparency reflects broader concerns about the use of anonymous complaints as vehicles for political persecution and the need for accountability in law enforcement processes.

Call for Police Reform and Refocus on Core Security Duties

The ADC’s statement concludes with a broader call for fundamental reforms within Nigeria’s law enforcement agencies, demanding that police authorities redirect their focus toward their primary constitutional duty of protecting lives and property rather than serving as instruments of political manipulation. The party has specifically called for internal disciplinary processes to investigate officers who were present during violent incidents but failed to intervene to protect citizens.

The demand for police reform comes against the backdrop of Nigeria’s deteriorating security situation, with bandits, terrorists, and kidnappers operating with increasing boldness across the country. The ADC argues that the diversion of police resources toward political harassment represents a misallocation of scarce security resources at a time when citizens desperately need protection from criminal elements.

The party has also demanded the arrest and prosecution of those responsible for the attack on Malami’s convoy in Kebbi State, as well as the violent thugs who disrupted their stakeholders’ meeting in Kaduna. The ADC warns that the failure to bring these perpetrators to justice only emboldens further violence and undermines the rule of law. In its concluding remarks, the party vowed to stand firmly with its leaders and members, declaring that it will not be intimidated by what it perceives as systematic attempts to suppress legitimate political opposition in Nigeria.