ADC Raises Alarm Over Alleged Plot to Arrest Kebbi Opposition Members
By Yusuf Gwandu
The African Democratic Congress (ADC), Kebbi State Chapter, has raised concerns over an alleged plot to arrest opposition members, including its spokesperson, accusing some influential individuals of attempting to intimidate and suppress opposition voices in the state.
The party also alleged that the residence of one of its members, Mudasir Sani, was raided, calling on security authorities to clarify the circumstances surrounding the incident and ensure the protection of his fundamental rights.
The concerns were contained in a press release issued in Birnin Kebbi and signed by the party’s Deputy Publicity Secretary, Engr. Abubakar Atiku Musa.
According to the ADC, reports reaching the party suggested that some influential individuals had allegedly discussed plans to deploy security agencies against members expressing political opinions, promoting party policies and disseminating political messages through social media.
The party described the alleged targeting of its spokesperson as particularly troubling, noting that communicating the party’s positions, policies and activities to the public was a legitimate responsibility.
ADC Kebbi recalled previous incidents involving its members, including the arrest of its Maiyama Local Government Chairman, who reportedly spent nearly two weeks in prison before being released.
It also disclosed that approximately eight members of its media team were currently facing court proceedings.
The party further said it had lodged a formal complaint against a senior government official at the Kebbi State Police Command Headquarters more than one month ago but had yet to receive comprehensive information regarding the investigation.
The ADC called on the National Human Rights Commission to investigate alleged human rights violations and intimidation, while urging the police to provide an update on its complaint and ensure that security agencies were not used to intimidate opposition members.
It also appealed to judicial authorities, civil society organisations and media organisations to monitor the situation, uphold due process and investigate the allegations independently.
The party urged the Kebbi State Government to ensure that the fundamental rights of citizens were respected regardless of their political affiliations.
Reaffirming its position, ADC Kebbi maintained that opposition membership, political criticism and the expression of political opinions were not crimes, provided they were exercised within the law.
It urged its members to remain peaceful and law-abiding, refrain from taking the law into their own hands and report any incidents of intimidation or harassment to the appropriate authorities.
The party stressed that democracy could not thrive through intimidation or the suppression of dissent, insisting that the protection of fundamental rights and the impartial application of the law remained essential to democratic governance.
