Demands Unrestricted Access to Ex-Kaduna Governor
- Safiu Kehinde
THe African Democratic Congress (ADC) has accused the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) of isolating the embattled former Kaduna State Governor, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai.
In what it described ad punishment by process, the ADC alleged that El-Rufai is deliberately isolated in a bid to humiliate and break a leading opposition figure.
The party made the allegation in a statement issued on Friday by its spokesperson, Bolaji Abdullahi, hours after the ICPC denied a delegation of the ADC leaders access to see the ex-Kaduna governor.
NPO Reported that the party’s National Secretary, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, had earlier today led a delegation of the ADC leaders comprising of Abdullahi and Secretary of the ADC Policy and Manifesto Committee, Mallam Salihu Lukman, to the ICPC’s headquarters in Abuja.
The opposition political leaders were however denied entry into the commission’s premises.
Video shared on X showed Aregbesola and Abdullahi standing in front of the ICPC headquarters.
Their presence had drawn the attention of security operatives who were deployed to the commission’s office.
Reacting to the development, Abdullahi held that El-Rufai is not a fugitive and is entitled to fair treatment and family access- in reference to the commission’s denial of the ex-Kaduna governor’s wife access to him.
“Let it be clear: Mallam Nasir El-Rufai is not a fugitive. He voluntarily submitted himself to the authorities.
“Under the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, he is entitled to dignity, medical care, family access, and fair treatment under the law.
“What we are witnessing increasingly appears to be punishment by process, intimidation through isolation, and an attempt to break the spirit of a leading opposition figure.” The ADC spokesperson wrote.
Abdullahi accused the ICPC of denying the ADC leaders access to El-Rufai and intimidating them with presence of security operatives despite prior notification.
“It is important to state that the National Secretary of the ADC had previously written officially to the Chairman of the ICPC, Dr. Musa Adamu Aliyu, requesting visitation rights to Mallam El-Rufai, especially in light of growing public concerns regarding his wellbeing and reports that he has faced repeated restrictions on access to family members and medical personnel.
“While we were at the premises awaiting a response to our request, the atmosphere suddenly became noticeably tense after no fewer than three truckloads of armed police officers arrived at the facility.
“The heavy deployment, which appeared entirely unnecessary and disproportionate to the peaceful presence of unarmed political leaders, created the unmistakable impression that the authorities feared that the mere presence of opposition leaders at the Commission could trigger public outrage.
“It is deeply troubling that a simple request by senior party officials to visit a detained colleague was met, not with professionalism, but with a show of force more suited to the suppression of civil unrest.” He wrote.
The ADC spokesperson held that at no point did members of the delegation threaten disorder, incite confrontation, or mobilise supporters to the premises.
He described the deployment of the officers as a show of fear and panic.
“The response of the state suggested panic, fear, and an attempt to intimidate not only our party leaders, but also any Nigerian who may dare to question the treatment being meted out to opposition figures.
“Such actions only reinforce growing public concern that state institutions are increasingly being used, not merely for law enforcement, but as instruments of political pressure and psychological intimidation against dissenting voices.” He said.
Abdullahi reiterated the party’s demand for unrestricted access to Mallam El-Rufai by his family, doctors, lawyers, and leaders of his political party.
“The ADC will not stand by and watch one of its leaders subjected to this pattern of harassment and calculated humiliation. Nigeria is watching. The international community is watching. The world is watching.
“We therefore demand that the ICPC immediately grant unrestricted access to Mallam El-Rufai by his family, doctors, lawyers, and leaders of his political party. Anything short of this will only reinforce public perception that state institutions are being weaponised against opposition voices.” He said.