- The party criticised APC’s tactics, stating that a ruling party should counter opposition through better governance, not political suppression.
The Social Democratic Party (SDP) has alleged the All Progressives Congress (APC) of employing security forces to threaten opposition parties and suppress political opponents ahead of upcoming elections.
In a statement issued on Friday, SDP spokesperson Rufus Aiyenigba claimed that the ruling party’s tactics aim to prevent opposition figures from joining their party.
“We have been informed about plans to suppress opposition figures in order to instil fear in political circles,” the statement reads.
“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.”
Aiyenigba stated that the former governor of Kaduna, Nasir el-Rufai, who recently switched to the SDP, is the primary target of these alleged actions.
“The government is planning to file multiple charges against him in Abuja and Kaduna imminently,” he said.
“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.”
He further alleged that the Kaduna state government is aligning with the federal government in its actions against opposition politicians.
“Additionally, in Kaduna, the state government appears to be following the federal strategy of targeting opposition leaders,” the SDP spokesperson said.
“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 which is not within the jurisdiction of either a state court or the Nigeria Police.”
Aiyenigba criticised the government’s alleged actions against its members, calling them an attack on democracy and fundamental freedoms.
“The SDP is profoundly dismayed by these flagrant and undemocratic methods in a democracy that should be advancing after 25 years of sustained efforts,” he said.
“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.”
In a post on X reacting to the SDP’s statement, el-Rufai accused the Kaduna state government of misusing security agencies to target opposition politicians.
On Monday, el-Rufai officially left the APC and joined the SDP.
On Thursday, he alleged that Sani, his former education commissioner, was “abducted” by security forces due to his defection to the SDP.