The North-West leadership of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) has called for an immediate end to what it describes as unconstitutional restrictions on political meetings and an emerging pattern of political intolerance in Kaduna State.
The call came during a press conference held by the ADC stakeholders at the residence of former Kaduna State Governor and party chieftain, Malam Nasir El-Rufai.
The chairman of the Coalition of ADC Stakeholders, Lawal Batagarawa, said the police prevented a scheduled meeting on Thursday, citing a court order that the party leaders claim has not been properly served.
“Even this morning, we were supposed to commiserate with our Kaduna chapter over the recent attack on them by sponsored political thugs, but the police prevented us on the pretext that they obtained court orders preventing us from holding our meetings,” Batagarawa stated.
Malam El-Rufai confirmed the police action, accusing the Commissioner of Police of waving “a piece of paper, claiming that they have obtained a court order stopping us from having our meeting.”
He added that while the party leaders chose to respect the police’s position, they would challenge the injunction once served, noting that the police’s action “violates the Constitution.”
The ADC leadership also used the press conference to condemn the harassment and intimidation of its members and other opposition parties.
The party cited a recent attack on the convoy of a senior ADC leader and former Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, in his home state of Kebbi, where his vehicles were vandalized and supporters injured.
The party also mentioned a similar attack on a group of elders under the auspices of the Katsina State Security Initiative, which they allege was sponsored by the Katsina State government.
The Kaduna State Police Command has launched an investigation into the initial violence that led to the ban on meetings. The police claim that the political gathering organized without prior notification to security agencies “created a fertile ground for thugs to unleash violence.”
The police have also issued a stern warning that hotels and other public venues will be held liable if they host political meetings without first notifying security agencies.
The Kaduna State Police has also alleged that thugs attached to El-Rufai fired gunshots during the clash, a claim that the former governor has vehemently denied, calling the attack on his party “government-sponsored.”
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