The Social Democratic Party (SDP) has raised concerns over an alleged plot by the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led federal government to persecute key opposition figures, starting with former Kaduna State Governor, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai.
In a statement issued by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Ambassador Rufus Aiyenigba, on Friday, the SDP accused the ruling party of orchestrating plans to file criminal charges against El-Rufai, who recently defected from the APC to the Social Democratic Party.
The statement further alleged that the government intends to restrict El-Rufai from leaving Nigeria, describing the move as an attempt to instill fear within opposition ranks and discourage further defections to the SDP.
“The SDP has received reliable information that the All Progressives Congress (APC) is concerned about the momentum of our party,“ the statement reads partly.
“In response, the APC has leveraged its governmental control to fabricate criminal charges against our members.
“Our sources revealed that the persecution will commence with one of our prominent leaders, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai.
“The government is planning to file multiple charges against him in Abuja and Kaduna imminently.
“In preparation for this, we have also learned that the federal government has instructed its agencies to prevent Mallam Nasir El-Rufai from leaving the country.”
