The Kaduna State chapter of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) has alleged sustained persecution and harassment of former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai, along with other opposition figures.In a statement issued on Tuesday in Kaduna, the party, through its state chairman, Professor Sani Bello (Mainan Zaazau), condemned what it described as “politically motivated actions” targeting El-Rufai and his associates, warning that such developments pose a threat to democratic principles and due process.The ADC claimed there is a pattern of actions aimed at weakening El-Rufai’s political influence, citing what it termed a “ministerial snub” and proceedings by the Kaduna State House of Assembly, which it alleged were premeditated and lacking merit.The party also pointed to the arrest and detention of some of El-Rufai’s associates, including Bashir Saidu, Ja’afar Ibrahim Sani, and Jimmy Lawal, describing the incidents as part of a broader attempt to intimidate opposition voices.It further accused agencies such as the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, and the Department of State Services of being deployed to harass political opponents.According to the statement, there are concerns over alleged attempts to secure El-Rufai’s arrest through questionable court processes, as well as claims of prolonged detention under conditions it described as inhumane.The ADC also alleged violations of El-Rufai’s fundamental rights, including arbitrary detention, repeated transfers between Abuja and Kaduna, and what it described as inconsistent bail conditions.Beyond El-Rufai, the party claimed opposition activities in Kaduna State are being suppressed through arrests, intimidation, and alleged interference in party structures, including the emergence of parallel leadership factions and internal crises.The party expressed broader concerns about governance in the state, pointing to rising insecurity, economic hardship, unemployment, and unresolved farmer-herder conflicts.It called for an immediate end to what it described as the harassment of opposition figures, urging authorities to uphold the rule of law and either release those allegedly detained unlawfully or prosecute them through transparent legal processes.“The current trajectory threatens core democratic principles and risks undermining public confidence in governance and institutions,” the statement added.The ADC also urged relevant authorities, civil society organisations, and the international community to closely monitor the situation and take steps to safeguard democracy and justice in Kaduna State and across Nigeria.
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