The Social Democratic Party (SDP) has raised concerns about a supposed plan to arrest former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, on baseless criminal charges.
The SDP also condemned the arrest and detention of Ja’afaru Sani, a former commissioner in the El-Rufai administration.
This was revealed in a statement issued by the SDP’s national publicity secretary, Rufus Aiyenigba, on Friday.
Aiyenigba accused the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of targeting opposition figures to instill fear in political circles and prevent further defections to the party.
He stated that the plot is being orchestrated by the federal government in collaboration with the Kaduna State government.
Read Also: I Got Buhari’s Blessing, Prayer Before Dumping APC – El-Rufai
“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.
The party expressed concern over the intimidation and harassment of its members, stating that the APC is undoing the progress made in the country’s 25 years of democratic development.
“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 stated that the continued victimization of the SDP and its members by the authorities only serves to strengthen and improve the party’s public image.
Join Informant Online WhatsApp Channel With Link Below: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaihFajBadmT29ufud2
