The Kaduna State Police Command has invited former Governor Nasir El-Rufai and six senior members of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) for questioning over allegations of criminal conspiracy, incitement of public disturbance, mischief, and causing grievous harm.
The invitation, contained in a letter dated September 4, 2025, and signed by Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of the Criminal Investigation Department, DCP Uzairu Abdullahi, directed the ADC chairman to present the individuals before the State CID on September 8 to respond to a petition filed by unnamed complainants.
Those invited 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”).
Earlier on Thursday, security operatives sealed off the ADC state secretariat at No. 4 Ali Akilu Road, Kaduna, just hours before a scheduled visit by the ADC North-West leadership to sympathise with members injured in last week’s violent attack by suspected political thugs.
At a press briefing held at his residence, El-Rufai condemned the closure of the party office, describing it as unconstitutional. He noted that the police commissioner cited a court order banning the meeting but failed to provide documentation.
“We have not seen any court order. It has not been served on us. Even if such an order exists, the law prescribes proper service. None of that was done. We decided to obey the commissioner out of respect for his office, but we believe his action is unconstitutional,” El-Rufai said.
He vowed to challenge the decision in court, warning that the matter could escalate into a protracted legal battle.
The sealing of the office has further heightened political tension in Kaduna, coming days after suspected thugs disrupted an ADC Coalition Transition Committee meeting at the NUT Endwell Conference Centre, injuring several members and destroying property. Party leaders accused the police of inaction and, in some cases, complicity.
Former Minister of State for Defence and ADC chieftain, Mallam Lawal Batagarawa, described the attack as a “coordinated assault” and warned of a dangerous slide into authoritarianism.
“Such deliberate acts of political brutality represent a threat to democracy and a creeping slide into dictatorship,” he said.
The Kaduna State Government has, however, repeatedly accused El-Rufai of instigating unrest. On September 1, Commissioner for Internal Security, Dr. Shehu Shuaibu, alleged that the former governor was plotting to destabilise the state following ADC’s electoral setbacks, warning that anyone undermining peace would be held accountable.
Meanwhile, the ADC North-West Zone condemned the sealing of its secretariat and the police invitation to its leaders, describing both as attempts to stifle opposition. The group demanded a thorough investigation into the recent attack, accountability for perpetrators, and the lifting of restrictions on political gatherings in 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, with El-Rufai and other leaders in attendance.
