Kaduna Police Summon Former Governor El-Rufai, Seven ADC Leaders for Questioning

The Kaduna State Police Command has summoned former Governor Mallam Nasir El-Rufai and seven senior members of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) for questioning over allegations of criminal conspiracy, incitement of public disturbance, mischief, and causing grievous hurt. The invitation, detailed in a letter dated September 4, 2025, and signed by Deputy Commissioner of Police Uzainu Abdullahi, directs the ADC State Chairman to produce El-Rufai and the others at the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) on September 8. The summoned individuals include Bashir Sa’idu, Jafaru Sani, Ubaidullah Mohammed (aka “30”), Nasiru Maikano, Aminu Abita, and Ahmed Rufa’i Hussaini (aka “Mikiya”). The police action follows a violent incident at an opposition coalition meeting last week, which authorities claim was organized without proper notification to security agencies.

The summons stem from a chaotic event at the Conference Hall of NUT Endwell in Kaduna’s Magadishu Layout, where suspected government-backed thugs attacked a transitional leadership meeting involving the ADC and Social Democratic Party (SDP). Several attendees were injured, and property, including vehicles belonging to El-Rufai, was damaged. The Kaduna State Police Command, through spokesperson DSP Mansir Hassan, attributed the violence to the organizers’ failure to notify security agencies, alleging that this oversight allowed thugs to infiltrate the gathering. However, El-Rufai has countered these claims, accusing the state government and police of orchestrating the attack to suppress opposition activities. He further alleged that police provided cover for the attackers, vowing to submit evidence to the Inspector-General of Police and the Police Service Commission.

Tensions escalated further when the police sealed off the ADC’s state secretariat at No. 4 Ali Akilu Road on September 4, hours before a planned visit by the party’s North-West leadership to commiserate with members affected by the earlier attack. El-Rufai, speaking at a press conference at his private residence, condemned the police action as an unconstitutional overreach, claiming the Commissioner of Police cited an unserved court injunction to justify banning the meeting. He emphasized that the ADC leadership chose to comply to avoid confrontation but vowed to challenge the alleged injunction in court, potentially escalating the matter to the Supreme Court. The former governor’s defiance underscores a deepening rift with the state government, led by his former ally, Governor Uba Sani, who has accused El-Rufai of plotting to destabilize Kaduna’s peace.

The Kaduna State Government, through Commissioner for Internal Security Dr. Suleiman Shuaibu, has maintained a hard stance, accusing El-Rufai of exploiting political divisions to incite unrest following his allies’ defeat in the August 16 by-elections. Meanwhile, internal ADC tensions have surfaced, with some party members, led by Hon. Adamu Dattijo, accusing El-Rufai of attempting to destabilize the party by sidelining its elected leadership. As the September 8 questioning date approaches, the situation remains volatile, with El-Rufai’s legal threats and the state’s aggressive response signaling a potential escalation in Kaduna’s political crisis. Observers warn that this confrontation could have broader implications for opposition politics in Nigeria ahead of the 2027 elections.