The Social Democratic Party, SDP, has raised an alarm over an alleged plot to arrest the former governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai, on frivolous criminal charges.
The SDP also condemned the arrest and detention of a former commissioner under the El-Rufai administration, Ja’afaru Sani.
This was contained in a statement issued by the national publicity secretary of the SDP, Rufus Aiyenigba, on Friday.
He accused the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, of suppressing opposition figures in order to instill fear the in political circles and deter further defections to the party.
According to Mr Aiyenigba, the plot is being executed by the federal government in cohort with the Kaduna State government.
“The SDP has received reliable information indicating that the All Progressives Congress,APC, is concerned about the mounting momentum of our party. In response, the APC has decided to leverage its governmental control to fabricate criminal charges against our members.
“Our sources reveal that the persecution will commence with one of our prominent leaders, Malam Nasir El-Rufai.
“The government is planning to file multiple charges against him in Abuja and Kaduna imminently. In preparation for this, we have also learned that the federal government has instructed its agencies to prevent Malam Nasir El-Rufai from leaving the country.
“Additionally, in Kaduna, the state government appears to be following the federal strategy of targeting opposition leaders.
“The administration under Uba Sani has reportedly abducted one of our state leaders, Ja’afaru Sani, utilising the police unit Operation Fushin Kada.
“This unit, which is supposed to protect citizens and their freedoms, has been misused to oppress political opponents. Ja’afaru Sani has been taken before a magistrate where the state government went to procure an order to remand him in prison.
“As was done to Bashir Saidu on December 31, 2024, Ja’afaru Sani was remanded by the magistrate for alleged money laundering. This is a matter which is not within the jurisdiction of either a state court or the Nigeria Police,” the statement said.
While expressing dismay over the intimidation and harassment of its members, the party said the APC is reversing the gains of the country’s 25 years of democratic practice.
“The SDP is profoundly dismayed by these flagrant and undemocratic methods in a democracy that should be advancing after 25 years of sustained efforts. Democratic norms dictate that a sitting government should respond to the growing momentum of opposition through a contest of ideas and improved performance, not through cowardly persecution that is characteristic of tyrannical regimes.
“It is imperative to note that the APC occupies office today because its leaders were not targeted during their years in opposition. If former governments had resorted to imprisoning them and burdening them with multiple charges across various courts, the APC would not be in its current position,” Mr Aiyenigba said.
The party therefore called on all Nigerians to stand against “these undemocratic practices and advocate for a mature democratic process where political disagreements are resolved through dialogue and performance, not through oppression and intimidation.
“It is instructive to note that even in the USA, an advanced democratic nation, President Donald Trump was severally and severely persecuted and vilified by the political establishment, but all that did not diminish him nor detract from his popularity”, the statement added.
Mr Aiyenigba explained that the ongoing victimization of the SDP and its members by the authorities amounts to nothing order than enhancing and boosting the public rating of the party.
