The African Democratic Congress has strongly condemned the attempted arrest of a former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, describing the incident as a troubling sign of rising political intimidation and a threat to Nigeria’s democratic norms.
In a statement on Friday, the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, warned that such actions, if left unchecked, could deepen political tensions and undermine public confidence in the rule of law and constitutional governance.
Tension erupted at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja on Thursday after an alleged failed attempt by security operatives to detain El-Rufai.
Eyewitnesses said the incident occurred shortly after the former governor arrived at the airport, when armed personnel reportedly approached him and tried to escort him away.
Reacting to the development, the ADC criticised what it called selective enforcement in the anti-corruption campaign, claiming that politically exposed figures are welcomed into the ruling party while dissenting voices face intensified scrutiny.
The party stated: “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.
“While the ADC maintains its position that no individual is above the law, we state without equivocation that the law must never be weaponised 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.
“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.
“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.”
The ADC argued that such selective accountability undermines public trust in the rule of law and weakens the government’s moral credibility.
The statement continued: “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 colours.
“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.
“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 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.”
