Atiku Condemns Police Summons On El-Rufai, Other Kaduna ADC Leaders, Warns Of Creeping Authoritarianism Under Tinubu

Atiku Condemns Police Summons On El-Rufai, Other Kaduna ADC Leaders, Warns Of Creeping Authoritarianism Under Tinubu

SaharaReporters learned that the action came just hours before the Northwest leadership of the party was scheduled to visit the state chapter on a commiseration mission.

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has condemned the police summons issued to former Kaduna State governor, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, and several other prominent members of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in the state.

Atiku, a former presidential candidate of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2023 elections, described it as a clear sign of creeping authoritarianism under President Bola Tinubu’s administration.

SaharaReporters reported on Thursday, September 4, that the Kaduna State Police Command invited El-Rufai, alongside several prominent members of the ADC, for questioning over alleged criminal conspiracy, incitement of public disturbance, mischief, and causing grievous hurt.

A police letter dated September 4, 2025, and signed by the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), Uzainu Abdullahi, directed the ADC Kaduna State Chairman to produce El-Rufai and six other party members at the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) on September 8, 2025.

Those listed in the police invitation include Bashir Sa’idu, Jafaru Sani, Ubaidullah Mohammed (popularly known as “30”), Nasiru Maikano, Aminu Abita, and Ahmed Rufa’i Hussaini (also known as “Mikiya”).

The letter, titled Investigation Activities: Case of Criminal Conspiracy, Inciting Disturbance of Public Peace, Mischief and Causing Grievous Hurt, stated that the individuals were being called to clarify allegations lodged against them by complainants.

Earlier on Thursday, SaharaReporters also reported that security operatives from the Kaduna State Police Command had sealed off the ADC office located at No. 4 Ali Akilu Road, Kaduna.

SaharaReporters learned that the action came just hours before the Northwest leadership of the party was scheduled to visit the state chapter on a commiseration mission.

In a statement issued on Friday, Atiku warned that recent developments in Kaduna, Katsina, and other states were a troubling trend towards authoritarianism under the Tinubu administration.

“The recent events in Kaduna, Katsina, and other areas highlight a troubling trend towards authoritarianism under the Tinubu administration,” Atiku said.

“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.

“Instead, they signify a coordinated and dangerous assault on dissenting voices, civic freedoms, and the very essence of pluralistic democracy.”

Atiku stressed that democracy cannot thrive without space for opposing voices, cautioning against what he called the criminalization of opposition.

He said, “It is important to emphasize that dissent is vital to democracy. Criminalizing opposition, attacking reformist voices, and undermining peaceful civic engagement erode the foundations of our Republic.

“No government that resorts to intimidation and uses security agencies as weapons against perceived opponents can genuinely uphold democratic principles.”

The former vice president warned that Nigeria risked sliding back into authoritarian rule if the trend continued.

“Without a doubt, Nigeria is dangerously close to slipping into authoritarian rule if these patterns of repression continue unabated,” he said.

“We cannot afford to return to an era marked by fear, silence, and impunity.

The former Vice President called on Nigerians across political divides to defend the country’s democratic space.

“I urge all Nigerians, both statesmen and citizens, to recognize the urgency of this moment.

“Defending our democracy cannot be the sole responsibility of the opposition; it is a collective national duty.

“Power is transient, 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. We must not allow the principles of liberty, justice, and the rule of law to be undermined by partisan desperation.”