The Kaduna State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party has declared that former Governor Nasir El-Rufai is “reaping what he sowed” following his invitation by the Nigeria Police Force over allegations of criminal conspiracy and incitement.
The party accused the incumbent state governor, Uba Sani, of using security agencies to persecute perceived political opponents in a “clear case of political witch-hunt.”
The PDP’s reaction came after the police, in a letter dated September 4 and signed by Deputy Commissioner of Police Uzairu Abdullahi, summoned El-Rufai and six allies from the African Democratic Congress to appear before the State Criminal Investigation Department on September 8.
The allegations against them include “criminal conspiracy, incitement of public disturbance, mischief, and causing grievous hurt.”
Those named in the letter were El-Rufai’s former Chief of Staff, Bashir Sa’idu, Jafaru Sani, Ubaidullah Mohammed, Nasiru Maikano, Aminu Abita and Ahmed Hussaini, aka Mikiya. The ADC state chairman was directed to produce the individuals for questioning.
The invitation is the latest development in the ongoing political dispute between El-Rufai and his successor, Governor Uba Sani. Tensions escalated last Saturday when a meeting of the ADC to inaugurate a transition committee in Kaduna State was disrupted by political thugs who reportedly attacked attendees with weapons, causing injuries and property damage.
The police blamed El-Rufai for the affray, an allegation he denied. A recent Channels Television interview in which the former governor accused the government of “empowering bandits” also drew strong rebuttals from both the federal and state governments.
The Kaduna State Government, in a statement by the Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Dr Suleiman Shuaibu, accused El-Rufai of “provocation, manipulation and incitement,” which it said posed a threat to peace and development. The government further alleged that El-Rufai convened an “illegal and chaotic meeting” that degenerated into violence, including gunshots that endangered innocent citizens.
Reacting to the police invitation, the PDP State Publicity Secretary, Maria Dogo, described it as politically motivated. “Although I don’t want to react to it, let me tell you, El-Rufai is only reaping what he sowed,” Dogo said. “He robbed us of our mandate during the 2023 governorship election and handed it over to Governor Uba Sani. Look closely at the composition of those invited by the police; they are mostly people who left the All Progressives Congress. This is witch-hunting, plain and simple.”
The PDP spokeswoman accused Governor Sani of hiding behind security agencies to clamp down on political rival.
The incident has drawn reactions from other political figures. Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar accused the Federal Government of intimidation, describing recent events in Kaduna and other states as part of “a coordinated and dangerous assault on dissenting voices.”
In contrast, the All Progressives Congress stated that El-Rufai was not above the law and should honour the police summons. The Middle Belt Forum also cautioned political parties against aligning with the former governor, whom it described as a “political virus.”
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