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The opposition African Democratic Congress (ADC) has accused the Federal Government of fostering a climate of political intimidation following an alleged attempt to arrest former Kaduna State governor, Nasir El-Rufai, at Abuja’s airport.
In a strongly worded statement issued Friday, the party described the incident as a disturbing development capable of eroding Nigeria’s democratic foundations.
According to the ADC, the reported action signals a dangerous drift toward selective enforcement of the law against perceived political opponents.
Tension reportedly flared at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport on Thursday shortly after El-Rufai arrived in the country.
Eyewitness accounts indicated that armed security personnel approached the former governor in what appeared to be an attempt to escort him away.
Although the circumstances remain contested, the ADC insisted that no visible warrant was presented at the time.
The party argued that if due process was bypassed, it would amount to a serious constitutional breach.
“We maintain that no citizen stands above the law,” the party said.
“However, the law must never become an instrument for settling political scores. Accountability must be transparent, lawful and even-handed.”
Moreover, the ADC warned that recurring perceptions of uneven justice could heighten political mistrust across the country.
It alleged that while critics of the administration face scrutiny, individuals accused of corruption are allegedly embraced once they align with the ruling party.
In its criticism, the party referenced the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, urging the administration to guard against any appearance of partisan application of state power.
“A democracy is tested not by how it treats its loyalists, but by how it handles dissent,” the statement added.
“Nigeria cannot afford to normalise intimidation under any guise.”
Furthermore, the ADC called on security agencies to operate strictly within constitutional boundaries.
It emphasised that coercive powers of the state must be exercised with professional neutrality to sustain public trust.
Political observers note that the controversy comes amid heightened tensions between opposition figures and the ruling party, the All Progressives Congress.
The ADC maintained that political competition should be resolved through lawful engagement and the ballot box, not through perceived pressure tactics.
As of press time, security authorities had not issued an official explanation regarding the airport incident.