The Kaduna State chapter of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) has accused authorities of a sustained pattern of political pressure against opposition members. At a press briefing on Tuesday in Kaduna, ADC chieftain and former Education Commissioner Professor Muhammad Sani‑Bello said the party felt "grave concern" over actions he described as politically motivated and undermining democratic norms.
The ADC said recent events involving former governor Nasir El‑Rufai are not isolated, citing his exclusion from a ministerial post, proceedings before the Kaduna State House of Assembly, and the arrest and detention of several of his associates. Individuals named include Bashir Saidu, Ja'afar Ibrahim Sani, Jimi Lawal and Aisha Galadima.
The party alleged that anti‑corruption and security bodies – the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and the Department of State Services – are being deployed to create a perception of selective enforcement. It pointed to prolonged detention, altered bail conditions and questioned judicial processes as signs of possible abuse.
The ADC also warned of broader clampdowns on opposition voices in Kaduna, mentioning arrests, intimidation, interference in party structures and obstacles to establishing party offices. It referenced national controversies involving former Senate President David Mark as further evidence of compromised institutional neutrality. The party called for an immediate halt to what it termed harassment, the release of those it deems unlawfully detained, and for authorities, civil society and the international community to monitor the situation closely.
The ADC's allegation that the DSS, ICPC and EFCC are being used to target opposition figures suggests a politicised security sector. When law‑enforcement agencies appear to serve partisan ends, public confidence in fair adjudication erodes. Nigerians could face a weakened democratic arena where competition is decided by state power rather than voter choice.
