Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has faulted the invitation of former Kaduna State Governor, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, and leaders of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) by the police, describing it as dangerous trend of political intimidation under the Tinubu administration.
The Kaduna State Police Command had summoned El-Rufai and seven ADC officials over alleged criminal conspiracy, incitement of public disturbance, mischief, and infliction of grievous harm.
In a letter dated September 4, 2025, signed by Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of the Criminal Investigation Department, Uzainu Abdullahi, the ADC state chairman was directed to present the accused persons at the State CID on September 8.
Those listed for questioning include Bashir Sa’idu, Jafaru Sani, Ubaidullah Mohammed (popularly known as “30”), Nasiru Maikano, Aminu Abita, and Ahmed Rufa’i Hussaini (also called “Mikiya”).
Reacting in a statement on his social media handles, Atiku warned that the development in Kaduna, along with recent incidents in Katsina and other states, reflected a disturbing slide towards 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,” he wrote.
“They signify a coordinated and dangerous assault on dissenting voices, civic freedoms, and the very essence of pluralistic democracy.”
The former vice president maintained that criminalizing opposition and weaponizing security agencies against perceived political enemies posed a grave risk to the nation’s democracy.
He urged Nigerians across political divides to resist authoritarian tendencies and stand in defense of civil liberties.
“Power is transient,” Atiku stated. “But 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.”