Governor El-Rufai Bans Atyap Community Development Association, Declares It Illegal

Governor Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna State has declared the Atyap Community Development Association (ACDA) an illegal company.

A statement released on Sunday by Muyiwa Adekeye, special adviser to the governor for media and communications, said the state government, in a restraining order, said the Atyap Community Development Association has constituted itself as a society hostile to the peace of the state and has been covertly involved in acts that may endanger the peace, tranquility, harmonious coexistence and good governance of Kaduna State.

The statement explains that the Governor signed the restraining order in the exercise of his powers under Section 60 of the Kaduna State Penal Code Act No. 5 of 2017 and Section 5(2) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

According to the governor, "the restraining order took effect on May 24, 2023."

Adekeye added that the restraining order stated that Articles 38 and 40 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria guarantee the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion as well as the right to freedom of association and peaceful assembly to all citizens. .

He also noted that Section 45(1) of the 1999 Constitution empowers the Governor to take such measures and actions as are necessary for the promotion and protection of public safety, public order, public morals, health or the rights and liberty of all persons in Kaduna State.