By Gambo Abubakar, Kadun
Demands Unconditional Release of El-Rufai
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Kaduna State has accused President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Kaduna State Governor, Senator Uba Sani, of using security personnel under Operation Fushin Kada to arrest and detain over 50 courageous youths.
The ADC’s accusation was contained in a statement delivered by the National Youth Leader of the party and Director of Youth Mobilisation, Atiku/Amaechi Presidential Campaign Council, Baba Ahmed Rufai, during a joint press conference organised by party stakeholders in Kaduna.
According to the youth leader, Governor Uba Sani has turned state power into a whip to lash opposition voices and silence critics rather than explain why basic amenities remain non-existent.
“His government uses police invitations, illegal remands, and cyberstalking laws to hound young commentators and political actors in the state.”
“Bearing the painful weight of a country crumbling under executive recklessness and state-sponsored tyranny, across the state and the entire federation, fear has been elevated to an official instrument of statecraft, while citizens are treated as prisoners in their own land.”
The statement, however, noted that “over 50 of our courageous youths were abducted and thrown into detention facilities simply because they refused to surrender their conscience to oppressive policies.”
While roughly 34 have been released following ferocious public outrage, the trauma inflicted on them and their families exposes the true character of this administration.
The statement also reminded the governor that “the office he occupies was built on the political sweat, sacrifice, and machinery of Mallam Nasir El-Rufai. To turn around and weaponise state institutions against El-Rufai and those associated with him is the ultimate political betrayal.”
“You can’t rule a state through intimidation while expecting citizens to applaud their own subjugation. As the ancient proverb reminds us, ‘A tyrant is a slave to his own terror, seeing an enemy in every shadow.'”
The statement further noted that between January and June 2026 alone, Nigeria squandered N5.28 trillion just to service domestic debt, bleeding public coffers dry while hospitals lack basic medicines and schools decay.
The World Bank recently uncovered an astounding $12.4 billion unexplained gap in the country’s external accounts, with trillions of naira allegedly vanishing through unrepatriated oil revenue and opaque deals.
“Yet, when citizens ask why public resources are drained to enrich financial speculators while hunger stalks every household, the government responds with tear gas, arbitrary arrests, and empty propaganda.”
The statement also criticised the Tinubu administration’s announcement of a 30-day petrol discount at NNPC stations.
“You copied Atiku’s production subsidy proposal, stripped away the part that makes it work, and handed Nigerians a 30-day discount. Where is the rest of the answer?”
The statement described the initiative as a “sugar rush masquerading as economic policy: a fleeting taste of relief at the pump, followed by the same brutal crash when the month ends.”
“Nigerians need lasting relief through a well-designed production subsidy that supports local refining and lowers fuel costs—not a N50 sweetener with an expiry date.”
The statement further questioned the state of parliamentary representation, asking, “What becomes of parliamentary representation when members say ‘nay’ and the presiding officer declares ‘aye’ to please the president?”
“When our National Assembly transforms into a subservient rubber-stamp department of the Presidential Villa—rushing amendments to the Police Act, sweeping Service-Wide Votes into trillions without oversight, and altering election rules—how can any free citizen trust that the constitutional checks designed to guard our freedom still exist?”
The statement concluded with the declaration: “Tinubu must go.”
It also highlighted the horrifying tragedy unfolding in the Dan Sadau communities of Zamfara State, where residents are reportedly under total siege by heartless bandits who have cut off food supplies and blockaded entire villages.
The bandits have allegedly imposed an extortionate levy of N50 million before allowing a single bag of grain or morsel of food into the affected communities.
Innocent mothers and helpless children are reportedly starving to death in their homes while armed criminals collect taxes as though they were a sovereign authority.
The ADC stakeholders demanded the immediate and unconditional release of Mallam Nasir El-Rufai and every remaining young Nigerian currently in custody for exercising their democratic right to free speech.
The statement also explained that the ADC and Atiku/Amaechi Presidential Campaign Council offer a clear, workable, and lasting solution to the situation: a fully budgeted, audited, and targeted production subsidy focused on petroleum products refined in Nigeria.
“We will end foreign exchange manipulation, bring back real subsidies for local refiners, lower transport costs, and restore purchasing power to the common man.”
The statement urged Nigerians to dust off their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs), defend their democratic rights, and stand firm against intimidation.
“The hour of accountability is at hand, and together, under the visionary leadership of Atiku Abubakar, we will rescue this nation, end political persecution, and build a Nigeria where life is comfortable, secure, and affordable.”
