Fresh political tensions have erupted following a police invitation to former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, and six leaders of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) over allegations of criminal conspiracy and public disturbance.
In a letter dated September 4, 2025, signed by Deputy Commissioner of Police, Uzairu Abdullahi, the former governor and his allies were directed to appear before the Kaduna State Criminal Investigation Department on September 8. The charges listed against them include conspiracy, incitement, mischief, and causing grievous bodily harm.
Those invited alongside El-Rufai are his former Chief of Staff, Bashir Sa’idu, as well as Jafaru Sani, Ubaidullah Mohammed, Nasiru Maikano, Aminu Abita, and Ahmed Hussaini (Mikiya). The ADC state chairman was tasked with producing them for interrogation.
Political Tensions Escalate
The summons comes amid worsening political friction between El-Rufai and his successor, Governor Uba Sani. Relations soured after El-Rufai’s loyalists lost recent by-elections, with tensions peaking last weekend when political thugs violently disrupted an ADC meeting in Kaduna. Several attendees were injured, and property was destroyed.
Police authorities accused El-Rufai of orchestrating the chaos, an allegation he has strongly denied. The former governor has also recently accused both federal and state governments of “empowering bandits” during a televised interview, sparking sharp rebuttals from officials.
The Kaduna State Government, through Commissioner for Internal Security Dr. Suleiman Shuaibu, accused El-Rufai of “provocation and incitement,” alleging that he convened an “illegal meeting” that triggered violence, including gunshots that endangered lives.
Atiku, ADC Accuse FG of Witch-Hunt
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar condemned the development, describing it as part of a “dangerous assault on democracy” under President Bola Tinubu’s government. In a Facebook statement, Atiku linked the Kaduna summons to a wider trend of “authoritarian tactics,” citing also the alleged attack on former Attorney General Abubakar Malami and the disruption of a Katsina Elders Forum meeting.
He warned that criminalising dissent and opposition risks dragging Nigeria towards dictatorship.
The ADC, through spokesperson Bolaji Abdullahi, echoed similar sentiments, accusing the police of targeting opposition figures while ignoring rising insecurity. Abdullahi demanded the withdrawal of the summons, reopening of the ADC Kaduna office, and prosecution of political thugs who attacked the party’s gathering.
APC, Middle Belt Forum Fire Back
The All Progressives Congress (APC) dismissed claims of witch-hunt. Its National Secretary, Dr. Ajibola Basiru, said El-Rufai must face questioning like any other citizen, stressing that “no politician is above the law.”
The Middle Belt Forum (MBF) also took a hard stance, warning parties against aligning with El-Rufai ahead of 2027. Its spokesman, Luka Binniyat, accused the ex-governor of making divisive remarks against Southern Kaduna and described him as a “political virus.” He warned that alliances with El-Rufai risk alienating voters across the Middle Belt.
PDP: ‘El-Rufai Reaping What He Sowed’
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Kaduna accused Governor Uba Sani of using security agencies to persecute opponents. State publicity secretary Maria Dogo labelled the probe “a clear witch-hunt,” but added that El-Rufai was “reaping what he sowed” after allegedly manipulating the 2023 governorship election in the APC’s favour.
Meanwhile, a senior state official who spoke anonymously dismissed the PDP’s claims as “baseless,” insisting that the police were acting within the law.
With political camps sharply divided, El-Rufai’s police summons has further deepened Kaduna’s political crisis, raising concerns about escalating tensions as Nigeria heads toward the 2027 elections.
