The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has alleged that the continued detention of former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai is politically motivated, claiming it is aimed at preventing him from playing a role in the 2027 general election.
The party also warned that President Bola Tinubu would be held responsible if anything happened to El-Rufai while he remained in custody.
Speaking during an interview on Symfoni, the ADC’s National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, insisted that the former governor’s detention was not about criminal allegations but politics.
El-Rufai is currently standing trial over a five-count amended charge filed by the Department of State Services (DSS), which accuses him of unlawfully intercepting telephone conversations linked to the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu.
He is also facing a separate nine-count charge filed by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC). Earlier this month, a court dismissed his application for bail.
However, Abdullahi argued that the continued detention of the former governor suggested political motives rather than the normal course of justice.
“This is not about law, it is not about crime and punishment; it is politics. The intention of this APC government is to continue to hold Mallam Nasir El-Rufai to ensure that he does not participate in this election and does not strengthen the opposition,” he said.
The ADC spokesman further claimed that El-Rufai played a key role in mobilising support for Tinubu in northern Nigeria ahead of the 2023 presidential election.
According to him, Tinubu had previously appealed to El-Rufai not to leave the country because his support would be needed by the government.
Abdullahi also expressed concern over El-Rufai’s well-being, warning that President Tinubu would be held accountable if the former governor suffered any harm while in detention.
“If, God forbid, anything happens to Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, President Bola Tinubu should realise that he would be held personally responsible. Either he releases him on bail to face justice or continues to hold him until the end of his tenure,” he said.
He added that if the ADC comes to power, it would investigate the circumstances surrounding El-Rufai’s detention and ensure accountability where necessary.
