The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has condemned the reported attempt by security operatives to arrest former Kaduna State Governor, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, at an airport, describing the development as part of what it called a troubling pattern of political intimidation against opposition figures.
In a statement issued on Friday, February 13, and signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, the party said the circumstances surrounding the attempted arrest raise “serious constitutional and democratic concerns.”
“The African Democratic Congress, ADC, strongly condemns the attempt by security operatives to arrest the former Kaduna State Governor, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, at the airport under circumstances that raise serious constitutional and democratic concerns,” the statement read.
While reiterating that no individual is above the law, the ADC insisted that legal processes must not be manipulated to silence dissenting voices.
“While the ADC maintains its position that no individual is above the law, we state without equivocation that the law must never be weaponized against political opponents.
“What Nigerians are witnessing is increasingly difficult to separate from a broader and troubling pattern of pressure and selective enforcement directed at opposition voices under the watch of the APC-led administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.”
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According to the party, reports indicated that security operatives lay in wait for El-Rufai at the airport but failed to present a warrant at the time of the attempted action.
It warned that such conduct, if confirmed, signals that due process is being sidelined when opposition leaders are involved.
The ADC also pointed to what it described as selective accountability in the political system.
“Even more concerning is the widening perception that while opposition leaders are aggressively pursued, individuals with pending corruption allegations are welcomed into the APC with pomp and pageantry…
“This is precisely the kind of selective accountability that erodes faith in the rule of law and damages the moral authority of government.”
The party urged security agencies to remain professional and impartial, stressing that “Political competition in Nigeria must be settled through persuasion and the ballot, not through the shadow of selective law enforcement.”
First Daily earlier reported that security operatives attempted to arrest former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja on Thursday, February 12.
His lawyer alleged that the arrest was attempted without presenting a warrant and forcibly seized El-Rufai’s international passport.