The Social Democratic Party (SDP) has raised concerns over alleged plans to silence opposition leaders, including Malam Nasir El-Rufai, ahead of the 2027 general elections.
This was contained in a statement made available to newsmen in Abuja on Friday by the National Publicity Secretary of the party, Ambassador Rufus Aiyenigba.
The party alleged that the federal government had instructed its agencies to prevent Malam Nasir El-Rufai from leaving the country.
“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,” it said.
Continuing, the SDP called on all Nigerians to stand against what it described as undemocratic practices, urging them to “advocate for a mature democratic process where political disagreements are resolved through dialogue and performance, not through oppression and intimidation.”
The statement reads, “The Social Democratic Party (SDP) wishes to bring to the attention of all Nigerians that we have been informed about plans to suppress opposition figures in order to instill fear in political circles.
“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.
“Our sources reveal that the persecution will commence with one of our prominent leaders, Malam Nasir El-Rufai. The government is planning to file multiple charges against him in Abuja and Kaduna imminently. 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.
“Additionally, in Kaduna, the state government appears to be following the federal strategy of targeting opposition leaders.
“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 that is not within the jurisdiction of either a state court or the Nigeria Police. When the gimmick was rolled out in December 2024, it unfolded with a Kaduna magistrate remanding Bashir Saidu in prison till 21 January 2025 on similar charges. It was the precursor to Bashir Saidu spending 50 days in prison. Such is the naked attempt to deploy the police and the judiciary to detain and imprison our leaders in Kaduna.
“The SDP is profoundly dismayed by these flagrant and undemocratic methods in a democracy that should be advancing after 25 years of sustained efforts. 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.
“The SDP calls on all Nigerians to stand against these undemocratic practices and advocate for a mature democratic process where political disagreements are resolved through dialogue and performance, not through oppression and intimidation.
“It is instructive to note that even in the USA, an advanced democratic nation, President Donald Trump was severally and severely persecuted and vilified by the political establishment, but all that did not diminish him nor detract from his popularity. He weathered the storm and got re-elected to power.
“The ongoing victimisation of the SDP and its members by the authorities amounts to nothing other than enhancing and boosting the public rating of the party as the bastion of true hope for national retrieval and better lives for Nigerians, going forward.”
Meanwhile, Tribune Online reports that the Nigeria Police, Kaduna State Command, has denied the statement made by a new member of the SDP, former Governor Nasir El-Rufai, on his X handle, claiming that the state police are now a “kidnapping gang for Uba Sani” and are being used to arrest opposition members.
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