Former governor vows legal challenge as opposition condemns police action, warns of creeping dictatorship
The political atmosphere in Kaduna has taken a tense turn as the State Police Command invited former governor Mallam Nasir El-Rufai and six senior leaders of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) for questioning over allegations of criminal conspiracy, incitement of public disturbance, mischief, and causing grievous hurt.
The invitation, contained in a letter dated September 4, 2025, was signed by Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of the Criminal Investigation Department, DCP Uzairu Abdullahi. It directed the ADC state chairman to produce the listed individuals at the State CID on September 8 to respond to issues raised in a petition filed by unnamed complainants. Those summoned include El-Rufai; Bashir Sa’idu; Jafaru Sani; Ubaidullah Mohammed (popularly known as “30”); Nasiru Maikano; Aminu Abita; and Ahmed Rufa’i Hussaini (a.k.a. “Mikiya”).
The development came just hours after security operatives sealed the ADC state secretariat located at No. 4 Ali Akilu Road, Kaduna. The closure, which preceded a scheduled visit by the ADC North-West leadership to sympathize with members injured in last week’s violent attack by suspected political thugs, has sparked strong reactions from opposition figures.
Addressing journalists at his residence shortly after the police action, El-Rufai denounced the sealing of the party office, describing it as unconstitutional. He revealed that the state police commissioner claimed to be acting on a court order but failed to present any document to back the claim.
“We have not seen the court order. It has not been served to us. Even if such an order exists, the law requires proper service, which was never done. We decided to obey the commissioner out of respect for his office, but we believe his action is unconstitutional,” El-Rufai stated, surrounded by ADC leaders.
The former governor vowed to challenge the action in court, signaling what could be a prolonged legal battle that, according to him, might reach the Supreme Court.
Tensions in Kaduna had already been high following the attack on ADC members at the NUT Endwell Conference Centre, where a Coalition Transition Committee meeting was violently disrupted by suspected thugs. Several party members were injured, and property was destroyed. ADC leaders accused the police of looking the other way during the assault and, in some cases, of complicity.
Ex-Minister of State for Defence and ADC chieftain, Mallam Lawal Batagarawa, described the incident as a “coordinated assault” and warned of an alarming descent into authoritarianism. “Such deliberate acts of political brutality represent a dangerous slide into lawlessness and dictatorship,” he said.
The Kaduna State Government, however, has consistently accused El-Rufai of orchestrating unrest. On September 1, Commissioner for Internal Security, Dr Shehu Shuaibu, alleged that the former governor was plotting to destabilize the state after ADC’s electoral setbacks. He warned that anyone who threatened peace would be held accountable.
In a swift reaction, the ADC North-West Zone condemned both the sealing of its secretariat and the police invitation to its leaders, insisting that these moves were deliberate attempts to silence the opposition. The party demanded an impartial investigation into the Kaduna attack, justice for the victims, and the immediate lifting of restrictions on political gatherings across the state.
“A government that uses security agencies and violence to suppress opponents is a threat to democracy. We will resist any attempt to foist a one-party dictatorship on this country,” Batagarawa declared, flanked by El-Rufai and other opposition leaders.
The unfolding events have further deepened political fault lines in Kaduna, with fears mounting that the crisis could escalate if not handled with transparency and fairness.
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