The former Kaduna State governor, Nasir El-Rufai, has insisted that no one can abridge his right of association, saying he does not require police permission to exercise his constitutional right to freedom of association.
Speaking as a guest on Channels TV’s Sunday Politics, El-rufai dismissed claims by security authorities that the African Democratic Congress (ADC) gathering in Kaduna was disrupted because organisers failed to notify the police.
“What is proper notification? Under which law, under which section of the Constitution? No one can abridge my right of association; no one can ask me to give any notice. I can give if I choose, but it is not a legal or constitutional requirement,” he said.
The former governor added, “People should stop overreaching themselves just because they hold a position today. I was governor of that state for eight years, and never at any time did I stop any opposition party from holding meetings or instruct venues not to allow political gatherings.”
On Saturday, suspected thugs disrupted the inauguration of the transition committee members of a coalition of opposition parties under the ADC in Kaduna State.
The assailants, armed with cutlasses, clubs, and stones, attacked participants and vandalised property.
Despite the violence, the inauguration continued under tense conditions. The Kaduna State Police Command, however, blamed El-Rufai for the incident.
Its spokesperson, DSP Mansir Hassan, said the former governor failed to notify the police and other security agencies about the meeting, despite repeated warnings.
