The Social Democratic Party has raised alarm over an alleged plan by the Nigerian government to persecute opposition figures in the country.
In a statement issued by its National Publicity Secretary, Ambassador Rufus Aiyenigba, the SDP accused the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led government of preparing to file criminal charges against former Kaduna State Governor, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai.
This development comes shortly after El-Rufai’s recent defection from the ruling APC to the SDP. According to the statement, the SDP claimed that the government’s actions are aimed at instilling fear in the opposition and discouraging further defections.
“The SDP has received reliable information that the All Progressives Congress (APC) is concerned about the momentum of our party. In response, the APC has leveraged its governmental control to fabricate criminal charges against our members,” the statement read.
The party further alleged that El-Rufai would be the first target, with criminal charges set to be filed against him in both Abuja and Kaduna. “Our sources revealed that the persecution will commence with one of our prominent leaders, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai,” the statement continued.
Additionally, the SDP claimed that federal government agencies have been instructed to prevent El-Rufai from leaving the country as part of the alleged plot.