•Tinubu and ADC logo
The African Democratic Congress has come out swinging, condemning what it describes as an attempt by security operatives to arrest former Kaduna State Governor, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, without presenting a warrant.
This is even by the time the dust settled at the airport, the political temperature had already risen, reports Daily Independent.
What might have passed as a routine security operation has instead ignited a fierce debate over due process, political neutrality, and the boundaries of state power.
For the ADC, the incident is not an isolated event. It is, in its view, part of a larger and disturbing pattern.
ADC, in a statement today by its National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, warned that the reported attempt to apprehend El-Rufai under questionable circumstances raises “serious constitutional and democratic concerns.”
The party said the unfolding development reinforces fears that opposition figures are being subjected to selective pressure under the All Progressives Congress-led administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
“The African Democratic Congress, ADC, strongly condemns the attempt by security operatives to arrest the former Kaduna State Governor, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, at the airport under circumstances that raise serious constitutional and democratic concerns,” the statement read.
Drawing a careful line, the ADC insisted that its position does not shield anyone from accountability. However, it cautioned against what it called the politicisation of the justice system.
“While the ADC maintains its position that no individual is above the law, we state without equivocation that the law must never be weaponized against political opponents. What Nigerians are witnessing is increasingly difficult to separate from a broader and troubling pattern of pressure and selective enforcement directed at opposition voices under the watch of the APC-led administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.”
According to the party, reports suggested that operatives had positioned themselves at the airport with the intention of effecting an arrest, but allegedly failed to produce a warrant at the time.
Reports indicate that security operatives lay in wait for Mallam El-Rufai at the airport with the apparent intention to effect an arrest, yet no warrant was presented at the time of the attempted action. If confirmed, this represents not merely a procedural lapse but a dangerous signal that due process is being treated as optional when opposition figures are involved.”
Beyond the immediate incident, the ADC said the episode feeds into a broader public perception of unequal standards in the fight against corruption. The party alleged that while critics of the government face intensified scrutiny, politically exposed persons who align with the ruling party appear to receive warmer treatment.
“Even more concerning is the widening perception that while opposition leaders are aggressively pursued, individuals with pending corruption allegations are welcomed into the APC with pomp and pageantry.
“To many Nigerians, it increasingly appears that once you cross into the ruling party, past sins are quietly swept away. This is precisely the kind of selective accountability that erodes faith in the rule of law and damages the moral authority of government.”
Reaffirming its commitment to democratic principles, the ADC declared that it would resist what it termed intimidation cloaked in legality.
“While the African Democratic Congress reaffirms its commitment to transparency, accountability, and the rule of law, we will not accept selective targeting, intimidation, or harassment of leaders simply because they hold opposing political views. Accountability must be even-handed, due process must be visible, and justice must never wear partisan colors.”
The party also directed its message squarely at the presidency, arguing that democratic strength is tested not by loyalty but by tolerance of dissent.
“The APC-led government of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu must understand that the strength of a democracy is measured not by how it treats its allies, but by how it treats its critics. Nigeria has come too far, and sacrificed too much, to permit any slide toward the normalization of political intimidation.”
Calling on security agencies to uphold professional standards, the ADC urged restraint and transparency in the exercise of state power.
“We therefore call on all security and law enforcement agencies to remain conscious of their professional and constitutional responsibilities. Nigerians deserve clear assurances that the coercive powers of the state will not be deployed, or perceived to be deployed, for partisan ends.”
The party concluded by pledging vigilance, warning that it would respond decisively should democratic norms come under threat.
“The ADC will continue to monitor developments closely and will not hesitate to act wherever democratic norms are threatened. Political competition in Nigeria must be settled through persuasion and the ballot, not through the shadow of selective law enforcement.”
As the controversy reverberates across the political landscape, the attempted arrest — whether procedural misstep or calculated move — has sharpened an already tense national conversation about power, opposition, and the future of democratic accountability in Nigeria.
