Former Governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai, has faulted the police for stopping a planned meeting of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) leaders in Kaduna, describing the action as a violation of the Constitution.
The meeting was scheduled for Thursday, barely a week after suspected thugs attacked an opposition gathering in the state. During that incident, political leaders from ADC, PDP, SDP, NNPP, and LP were assaulted with cutlasses and clubs, leaving several people injured and properties destroyed. Many had blamed the police for failing to act.
Speaking at a press conference in his Kaduna residence, El-Rufai said the ADC North-West leadership only planned to visit the state to commiserate with members affected by the violence. He expressed anger that the police commissioner ordered the meeting to be cancelled, allegedly citing a court injunction that was never properly served.
“He knows what he’s writing violates the Constitution,” El-Rufai said. “Nobody can stop us; we are within our constitutional rights. But as responsible leaders, we decided to respect his word, even though we have not seen the court order.”
The former governor said holding the press briefing at his personal home was to avoid confrontation with security agencies. He added that the case would not end there, hinting at a legal challenge up to the Supreme Court.
“This is not the end of it. Other things will follow after this,” he declared.
