By Luminous Jannamike, Abuja
THE African Democratic Congress (ADC) has accused the Federal Authorities of utilizing the police to harass opposition leaders as an alternative of specializing in defending Nigerians from insecurity.
In an announcement signed by its Nationwide Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, the occasion described the summons issued to former Kaduna State Governor, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, as politically motivated and ‘an assault not simply on particular person politicians, however on Nigeria’s democracy itself.’
“At a time when terrorists and felony gangs freely function in giant components of the North, the Nigerian Police seems extra excited by silencing opposition leaders than defending residents,” the assertion learn.
The ADC additionally condemned the violent assault on the convoy of former Legal professional Normal of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, in Birnin Kebbi, the place a number of occasion members had been injured. The assault occurred in broad daylight close to a police outpost, however no arrests have been made.
“Regardless of the seriousness of the assault, no arrests have been made, and the perpetrators stay at giant,” the ADC mentioned.
The occasion mentioned in Kaduna, cops allegedly regarded away as thugs with stones and cutlasses attacked a peaceable ADC gathering. As an alternative of arresting the attackers, the police summoned the victims, together with El-Rufai.
“Each hour spent harassing El-Rufai and shutting down ADC workplaces is an hour not spent confronting the terrorists and criminals destroying lives throughout the North, and the city bandits destroying the nation,” Abdullahi warned.
The ADC additionally criticised the sealing of its Kaduna workplaces forward of a deliberate assembly of zonal leaders, calling it a deliberate try to dam its proper to collect and organise.
In keeping with the occasion, these actions aren’t remoted, however symbolize a scientific try to ‘criminalize’ opposition politics, particularly in states the place the ruling occasion reportedly feels threatened by the rising affect of the ADC.
The occasion demanded that the Inspector Normal of Police withdraw the summons issued to El-Rufai and different leaders, unseal its Kaduna workplaces, and publish the names of these behind the petitions that led to the investigations.
“These invites aren’t about justice or safety, they’re about silencing dissent and will due to this fact be halted immediately,” the assertion mentioned.
It additionally demanded the arrest and prosecution of these behind the Kebbi and Kaduna assaults, and disciplinary motion in opposition to cops who didn’t act.
“Those that stood by and allowed political violence to happen shouldn’t be carrying the uniform of the Nigerian state,” the ADC declared.
The occasion urged the Federal Authorities to direct the police again to their constitutional responsibility of defending lives and property, as an alternative of utilizing them for politics.
“Our occasion will stand with our leaders and members. We is not going to be intimidated,” Abdullahi mentioned.
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