APC afraid of our growing momentum, targeting el-Rufai with charges, SDP alleges

The Social Democratic Party (SDP) has accused the All Progressives Congress (APC) of using security operatives to intimidate the opposition.

In a statement on Friday, Rufus Aiyenigba, SDP spokesperson, claimed that the move is intended to deter opposition leaders from defecting to the party.

“We have been informed about plans to suppress opposition figures in order to instil fear in political circles,” the statement reads.

“This strategy aims to deter further defections to our party by using intimidation tactics.

“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.”

Aiyenigba said Nasir el-Rufai, former governor of Kaduna, who recently joined the SDP, is the ruling party’s primary target.

“The government is planning to file multiple charges against him in Abuja and Kaduna imminently,” he said.

“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.”

He further alleged that the Kaduna state government is also following the federal government’s lead in targeting opposition figures.

“Additionally, in Kaduna, the state government appears to be following the federal strategy of targeting opposition leaders,” the SDP spokesperson said.

“The administration under Uba Sani has reportedly abducted one of our state leaders, Ja’afaru Sani, utilizing 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.”

Aiyenigba described the alleged crackdown on its members as undemocratic and a threat to Nigeria’s democracy.

“The SDP is profoundly dismayed by these flagrant and undemocratic methods in a democracy that should be advancing after 25 years of sustained efforts,” he said.

“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.”

In a post on X commenting on the SDP statement, el-Rufai also accused the Kaduna state government of the misuse of security agencies in the persecution of opposition leaders.

On Monday, el-Rufai defected from the APC to the SDP.

On Thursday, el-Rufai claimed that Sani, his former education commissioner, was “abducted” by security agencies for joining the SDP.

On June 5, 2024, the Kaduna assembly recommended the probe of el-Rufai over the allegation of public funds diversion and money laundering.

Two of el-Rufai’s former cabinet members—Mohammed Bashir Sa’idu and Jimi Lawal—are currently in detention over alleged corruption.

El-Rufai was the governor of Kaduna from 29 May 2015 to 29 May 2023.

During his tenure as governor from May 29, 2015, to May 29, 2023, el-Rufai himself faced accusations of intimidating opposition figures in the state.