Senator Aminu Waziri Tambuwal has urged former governor of Kaduna State Nasir El-Rufai to comply with a police invitation stemming from the recent political unrest in Kaduna.
The Kaduna State Police Command invited El-Rufai and several members of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) for questioning in respect of the reports that some ADC were attacked by thugs on a condolence visit, and police stated the matter involves allegations of conspiracy and public order disruption.
Regardless, El-Rufai has signalled in a tweet that he would take on the police invitation in court, citing it as raising constitutional issues. Tamaruwal has challenged him to honour the invitation, reminding the AAC that political actors have a responsibility to obey the law, no matter any personal resentments.
Senator Tambuwal spoke on a national television station and expressed the view that, in his experience, it was becoming too easy for law enforcement to abuse the Public Order Act. This was more so, the Senator believed, as it related to political activity as opposed to public safety support, and it was undermining citizens’ rights of association and expression.
Senator Tambuwal clarified that the ADC delegation was on a condolence visit and not on a rally that would require police permission in advance. Further, the Senator stressed that notification to police under the public order act, should provide the police with the ability to assist with the safety of civilians, and not to interfere with lawful acts of assembly.
In facilitating the process of the police invitation, Senator Tambuwal also warned, police and security agencies should not engage in political interference that would lead to political intimidation on the political aspect of the nation. The challenge was, any action from law enforcement that appeared to favour one politician over another could risk severing trust of the public, which would also threaten both the multiparty nature of Nigeria’s polity and the democracy itself.
The police invitation has naturally fuelled a broader political debate, with opposition voices alleging there is a growing crackdown on dissenting views. Many prominent figures, including former Vice President Atiku Ababakar, have expressed concern about what they allege are growing authoritarian tendencies of government.
While Senator Tambuwal has said that the rule of law must prevail, he also echoed the issues raised this week that impartial policing is needed in order to maintain Nigeria’s democracy.