Honour police invitation, Tambuwal tells El-Rufai
Tambuwal
Sokoto South Senator, Aminu Tambuwal, has advised former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, to honour the summons issued by the Kaduna State Police Command.
Speaking in an interview, Tambuwal said the police invitation followed an attack on members of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Kaduna.
The Kaduna Police Command has summoned El-Rufai to appear before it over an alleged criminal conspiracy, incitement of public disturbance, mischief, and causing grievous hurt.
El-Rufai was summoned by the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of criminal investigation, Zubairu Abdullahi, alongside key members of the Kaduna State chapter of the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
In the invitation letter, El-Rufai and the other ADC leaders, including the North West Chairman of the Party, Ja’afaru Sani, were invited by the police for questioning over alleged criminal conspiracy, incitement of public disturbance, and mischief.
“This Department is currently investigating the above-mentioned case involving the following members of your party. You are requested to come along with them to SCID to clarify allegations reported against them by the complainants on 8th September, 2025,” the letter read partly.
El-Rufai, however, had threatened to challenge the summons in court.
Tambuwal stressed that the police cannot restrict freedom of association and assembly as enshrined in the Nigerian Constitution.
He said: “Making reference to the constitution of Nigeria which provides for freedom of expression and assembly, but most of the time the police tries to hide under the Public Order Act which its provisions are inconsistent with the provisions of the Constitution to come hard on individuals or groups trying to come together or meet.
“There is no need for a permit from the police for a political party to have a meeting. Even when you write to the police, you notify them. In most cases it has to do with political rallies.
“In most cases it is for the police to provide security at the rallies and guide the political parties not to have clashes on particular days and times.
“It is just for guidance and not for the police to say you can’t meet. It wasn’t a rally. We were there on a commiseration visit as a coalition to leaders of the coalition that were attacked by thugs, we were not there for anything, we were there just to commiserate with the leaders in Kaduna.
“I’m a law-abiding citizen of this country and whoever is invited by the constituted authority should appear.
“I will advise my brother and friend, El-Rufai, to attend to the invitation of the police.”
