The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has condemned what it described as an attempted arrest of a former Kaduna State governor and senior party member, Nasir El-Rufai, by operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport on Thursday.
In a statement issued in Abuja and signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, the ADC said the incident represents an escalating pattern of political intimidation and raises serious concerns about due process and the neutrality of security agencies.
The party alleged that security operatives attempted to arrest El-Rufai upon his arrival from Egypt without presenting a warrant, describing the move as a troubling signal that constitutional safeguards may be disregarded when opposition figures are involved.
According to the ADC, the incident fits into what it called a broader pattern of selective pressure against opposition politicians under the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, led by the All Progressives Congress (APC).
“While the ADC maintains that no individual is above the law, the law must never be weaponised against political opponents,” the party said. “What Nigerians are witnessing is increasingly difficult to separate from a troubling pattern of selective enforcement directed at opposition voices.”
The party also criticised what it described as a double standard in the anti-corruption campaign, alleging that politically exposed persons facing corruption allegations are often welcomed into the ruling party, while critics of government face intensified scrutiny.
“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,” the statement said. “If confirmed, this is not merely a procedural lapse but a dangerous precedent that suggests due process is optional when opposition figures are involved.”
The ADC warned that selective accountability undermines public confidence in the rule of law and erodes the moral authority of government. It stressed that accountability must be even-handed and justice must not be coloured by partisan interests.
The party urged the Federal Government and all security agencies to act within their constitutional mandates and remain politically neutral.
“The strength of a democracy is measured not by how it treats its allies, but by how it treats its critics,” the statement added. “Nigeria has come too far to allow any slide towards the normalisation of political intimidation.”
The ADC called on security and law enforcement agencies to reassure Nigerians that the coercive powers of the state will not be deployed, or perceived to be deployed, for partisan ends
