The Social Democratic Party (SDP) has raised alarm over alleged plans by the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to suppress opposition figures through intimidation and politically motivated charges.
In a press statement signed by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Ambassador Rufus Aiyenigba, and dated March 14, 2025, the SDP accused the APC-led federal government of orchestrating a crackdown on opposition leaders to instill fear and prevent further defections to the party.
According to the statement, the SDP has received credible intelligence indicating that former Kaduna State Governor, Malam Nasir El-Rufai, is being targeted for persecution. The federal government, the party claims, is preparing to file multiple charges against him in Abuja and Kaduna while also restricting his ability to leave the country.
The party also alleged that the Kaduna State Government, under Governor Uba Sani, has been complicit in these suppression tactics. It cited the reported abduction and detention of Ja’afaru Sani, an SDP leader in Kaduna, by the police unit Operation Fushin Kada. The statement noted that Sani was brought before a magistrate and remanded in prison on what the SDP described as trumped-up money laundering charges.
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“This is a clear misuse of law enforcement agencies, as was similarly done in December 2024 when Bashir Saidu was detained for 50 days on questionable charges,” the statement read.
Expressing deep concern over what it termed as “flagrant and undemocratic methods,” the SDP warned that Nigeria’s democracy is regressing despite over two decades of democratic rule. The party emphasized that political competition should be based on performance and ideas rather than intimidation.
“The APC is in power today because its leaders were not subjected to such political persecution during their years in opposition. If previous administrations had resorted to imprisoning opposition leaders, the APC would not have attained its current position,” the statement added.
Drawing parallels with global politics, the SDP likened its situation to that of former U.S. President Donald Trump, whom it claimed was “severely persecuted and vilified by the political establishment” but remained popular and eventually returned to power.
The party called on Nigerians to resist these “undemocratic practices” and advocate for a fair political system where disagreements are resolved through dialogue rather than coercion.
“The ongoing victimization of SDP members will only strengthen our resolve and boost public confidence in the party as a beacon of hope for national progress,” the statement concluded.
