THE Kaduna State Police Command has invited the immediate past governor of the state, Nasir El-Rufai, and six leaders of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) for questioning over allegations of criminal conspiracy, incitement, mischief and causing grievous harm.
The other invited alongside El-Rufai include Bashir Sa’idu; Jafaru Sani; Ubaidullah Mohammed; Nasiru Maikano; Aminu Abita; and Ahmed Rufa’i Hussaini.
The invitation, dated September 4, and signed by the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), Uzairu Abdullahi, directed the ADC state chairman to present the affected individuals at the State CID on Monday, September 8.
Titled, ‘Investigation Activities: Case of Criminal Conspiracy, Inciting Disturbance of Public Peace, Mischief and Causing Grievous Hurt,’ it stated that the invitation was to enable the individuals clarify allegations reported against them.
Earlier on Thursday, September 4, Police operatives sealed the ADC state secretariat on Ali Akilu Road, Kaduna, shortly before the scheduled visit of the party’s Northwest leadership to sympathise with members injured in last week’s attack by suspected thugs.
However, in his reaction to the invitation, El-Rufai described the Police action as unconstitutional, saying the state Commissioner of Police 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.”
He vowed to challenge the move in court up to the Supreme Court.
Recall that on Monday, September 1, there was violent disruption of an ADC Coalition Transition Committee meeting by hoodlums suspected to be hired political thugs, who attacked participants at the NUT Endwell Conference Centre, leaving several injured and property destroyed.
Party leaders had then accused the Police of failing to act during the attack, with a former minister of State for Defence and ADC chieftain, Lawal Batagarawa, describing the incident as a “coordinated assault.”
According to him: “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.”
He warned of a drift toward authoritarian rule, adding: “Such deliberate acts of political brutality represent a dangerous slide into lawlessness and dictatorship.”
The Northwest Zone of the party condemned the Police actions, calling them attempts to stifle opposition, even as it demanded accountability for the Kaduna attack, prosecution of perpetrators and an end to restrictions on political gatherings.
The state government, however, accused El-Rufai of instigating unrest and plotting to destabilise the state after ADC’s electoral losses, warning that no one would be allowed to threaten peace.
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