In Fresh Twist, El-Rufai Snubs Police Invitation, Instead Petitions PSC

In a fresh twist to the ongoing political tension in Kaduna, former governor Mallam Nasir El-Rufai has snubbed an invitation from the state police command, choosing instead to submit a formal petition against the Commissioner of Police, Muhammad Rabiu.

Spear News reports that Kaduna police had invited El-Rufai and other leaders of the African Democratic Congress for questioning last Thursday over allegations of “conspiracy, incitement, mischief, and disturbance of public peace in the state”. This followed the command’s decision to seal the ADC secretariat in Kaduna.

However, rather than honour the invitation, El-Rufai, through his media aide Muyiwa Adekeye, presented a petition to the Police Service Commission. The petition accused the Commissioner of Police and some officers of “unprofessional conduct, abuse of office, and serial violations” since assuming office on December 30, 2024.

The former governor stated that he was compelled to alert the PSC after an earlier appeal to the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, failed to curb what he called the “egregiously unlawful” conduct of the officers.

“I am writing out of concern that the Nigeria Police, warts and all, is the only frontline law enforcement institution we have,” El-Rufai stated. “The duty of all citizens is not only to support it at every level but also to ensure that the commission is provided opportunities to deliver on its regulatory powers to enforce discipline and promote sound and ethical conduct by all police officers at all times,” he added.

El-Rufai, known for his fiery disposition, accused some police officers of “serving interests other than those conferred by law,” insisting that such behaviour tarnished the image of the force.

“This laudable goal can only be attained if the commission’s attention is continuously drawn to any egregious conduct of some bad eggs that serve interests other than those conferred by law in Section 4 of the Police Act, 2020,” he said. “Such conduct thereby negatively affects the image of the Police and undermines public confidence in its leadership.”

The petition represents a significant escalation in the face-off between the ADC leadership and the state police command. The conflict stems from a series of incidents, including an attack on ADC members by political thugs, which the party claims was ignored by the police.

The police invitation, contained in a letter dated September 4, 2025, and signed by Deputy Commissioner of Police Uzairu Abdullahi, had directed the ADC State Chairman to produce El-Rufai and six other party members for questioning. The letter stated that the individuals were needed “to clarify allegations reported against them by the complainants.”

Earlier on the same day, police operatives had sealed off the ADC’s state secretariat on Ali Akilu Road in Kaduna. The action prevented a planned visit by the ADC’s North-West leadership, which was intended as a show of solidarity following the violent attack on party members.

At a press briefing following the sealing of the secretariat, El-Rufai had condemned the police’s actions as unconstitutional. He revealed that the police commissioner had claimed, without providing documentation, that a court order barred the planned meeting.

“He knows what he’s writing violates the Constitution. We have not seen the court order. It has not been properly served on us. Even if there is a court order, there is a legal process to serve an affected person, and it has not been served on us,” El-Rufai stated.

Despite these grievances, he noted that ADC leaders had chosen to defer to the police to avoid confrontation: “As responsible leaders, we decided that even though we have not seen the order, we believe the commissioner of police. Because we don’t believe the commissioner of police could be lying.”

El-Rufai also signalled that the matter would not end with the shutdown, hinting at a protracted legal fight: “We want to see that order and, of course, we will challenge whatever grounds to the Supreme Court. This is not the end of it. Other things will follow after this,” he declared.

The Kaduna State Police Command had yet to react officially to the petition as of the time of reporting. Calls and messages sent to the command’s Public Relations Officer, DSP Mansir Hassan, remained unanswered.

The State Government has maintained a firm stance against El-Rufai’s activities. In a previous statement, the Commissioner for Internal Security, Dr. Shehu Shuaibu, accused the ex-governor of scheming to “destabilize our hard-won peace,” and warned that “anyone who dares to threaten it, be it Nasir El-Rufai or any of his accomplices, will be held accountable.”