The Kaduna State gubernatorial candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Rt. Hon. Isa Mohammed Ashiru, has called on Governor Uba Sani to redirect the attention and resources of his administration towards addressing the worsening insecurity in Kaduna State, rather than engaging opposition political parties and their supporters.
Ashiru described the alleged harassment, disruption and attacks on opposition political activities as unhealthy for democracy, stressing that political differences should be settled through ideas, policies and the ballot box, rather than intimidation or violence.
The call was made in a statement on Tuesday through his Spokesman, Abdulwaheed Olayinka Adubi, following reports of the disruption of a campaign rally involving opposition supporters in Kafanchan, Jema’a Local Government Area of Kaduna State, on Monday, while subsequently members of the opposition parties were arrested.
Ashiru said Kaduna State is already confronted with serious security challenges, including banditry, kidnapping and attacks on communities, especially in the last few days, and that the priority of government should be protecting the lives and property of citizens, and not channeling it’s resources on sponsored attacks on the opposition members in the state.
He said: “At a time when our people are living in fear because of insecurity, kidnapping and attacks on communities, the government should be deploying every available resource to protect the people, not to fight opposition parties.
“Government should not see political opponents as enemies. We are all stakeholders in Kaduna State, and our political differences should never become a justification for intimidation, harassment or violence.”
He urged Governor Uba Sani to ensure that all political parties and candidates are allowed to conduct their campaigns peacefully and without interference, in accordance with the law.
Ashiru further called for an immediate investigation into the Kafanchan incident, urging security agencies to identify and prosecute anyone found to have participated in the disruption or attack, regardless of political affiliation.
According to him, the arrest or detention of political opponents must not be used as an instrument of political intimidation. He therefore called for the immediate release of the detained opposition members in the state, including the members of the ADC.
“We call on the security agencies to remain professional, impartial and guided by the law. The police and other security institutions belong to the Nigerian people and must not be perceived as instruments for suppressing political opposition,” Ashiru said.
The ADC candidate reminded the Kaduna State Government that the 2027 elections are still ahead and that all political parties have a legitimate right to engage voters, present their programmes and seek their support.
He said the people of Kaduna should be allowed to listen to different political parties and make their choices freely without fear, coercion or intimidation.
Ashiru also appealed to ADC members and supporters to remain calm and law-abiding, assuring them that the party would continue to pursue its political activities peacefully and through democratic means.
“Our message is simple: stop fighting opposition parties and fight insecurity. Protect Kaduna communities, protect our people and create an environment where every citizen can participate freely in the democratic process.
“Political power is temporary, but the consequences of violence can affect our people and communities for generations. Kaduna deserves peaceful, issue-based and responsible politics,”he added.
He urged all political actors, traditional institutions, civil society organisations and security agencies to work together to prevent the escalation of political violence ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Ashiru reiterated that the ADC remains committed to peaceful democratic participation and an electoral process in which the people of Kaduna are free to choose their leaders without intimidation or violence.
