By Kingston Magare 5.9.2025
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has knocked the Nigeria police over their active involvement in political matters.
Atiku who was speaking against the background of police summons issued to former Kaduna State governor, Nasir El-Rufai, and members of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), said intimidation of political opponents by the police has become the norm in the President Tinubu administration.
The Kaduna State Police Command had invited El-Rufai and seven ADC officials for questioning over alleged criminal conspiracy, incitement of public disturbance, mischief, and causing grievous harm.
A letter dated September 4, 2025, and signed by Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of the Criminal Investigation Department, Uzainu Abdullahi, directed the ADC state chairman to present the accused persons at the State CID on September 8.
Those listed include Bashir Sa’idu, Jafaru Sani, Ubaidullah Mohammed (popularly known as “30”), Nasiru Maikano, Aminu Abita, and Ahmed Rufa’i Hussaini (also called “Mikiya”).
Atiku said in statement Friday that the recent developments points to the fact that the President Tinubu is dragging the country into authoritarianism.
“The summons of Mallam Nasir El-Rufai and leaders of the ADC in Kaduna, the brazen attack on former Attorney General Abubakar Malami, and the violent disruption of the Katsina Elders Forum meeting on security reforms are not isolated incidents. They signify a coordinated and dangerous assault on dissenting voices, civic freedoms, and the very essence of pluralistic democracy.
“Power is transient… history will harshly judge those who wield it against the people instead of in their service. Nigeria belongs to all of us, not just the ruling party or any single individual.”
Meanwhile the ADC has urged the Inspector General of Police to revoke the summons issued to its members.
“We demand that the police authorities unseal the ADC office in Kaduna State, and stop the illegal obstruction of lawful political activity,” said ADC national publicity secretary Bolaji Abdullahi, in a statement on Friday.
“No democracy can thrive where opposition party structures are routinely shut down under vague pretexts.
“The Nigeria Police must also publish the names of those who filed complaints that triggered these recent investigations and summons.
“The public deserves to know who is behind these attacks on political freedom, and what interests they serve.
“We further demand that security agencies arrest and prosecute those responsible for the attack on Abubakar Malami’s convoy in Kebbi State, as well as the violent thugs who disrupted our stakeholders’ meeting in Kaduna.
“The failure to bring these perpetrators to justice only emboldens further violence.”