The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has decried the continued detention of Nasir El-Rufai, the former Governor of Kaduna State, alleging violations of his rights and a deterioration in his health condition.
According to the ADC, El-Rufai’s family alleged denial of medical access, restriction of food delivery, and disregard for a court order granting him access to his doctors.
In a statement issued on Monday by the ADC’s National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, the party noted that the reports, if true, represent a dangerous assault on the former governor’s dignity, health, and constitutional rights.
“What is happening to Mallam El-Rufai confirms beyond all doubt that this detention is no longer about justice, it is about politics. It also confirms our fears that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is deploying the instruments of state power to keep one of the leading opposition figures out of circulation. This is political persecution dressed up as prosecution,” the party said.
Abdullahi compared the situation with other high-profile cases, including that of Yahaya Bello, former Governor of Kogi State, describing it as stark and shameful.
“Yahaya Bello has been accused in an alleged ₦80.2 billion money laundering case. Ifeanyi Okowa, former Governor of Delta State, was arrested over the alleged diversion of ₦1.3 trillion in derivation funds. But today, they are walking around free, singing President Tinubu’s campaign song,” he stated.
Abdullahi recalled that El-Rufai was first detained in February after he voluntarily offered himself for investigation and trial. “He was later arraigned after weeks in custody and granted bail in April. Yet, the government has contrived to keep him in detention perpetually.”
He described El-Rufai as President Tinubu’s political prisoner, arguing that this alone brings the President’s democratic credentials into disrepute.
Abdullahi emphasised that Tinubu cannot continue to masquerade as a democrat while presiding over the weaponisation of security and anti-corruption agencies against political opponents.
He stressed that Nigeria is not under a dictatorship, adding that compliance with the rule of law cannot be subject to presidential discretion.
“The ADC therefore puts President Tinubu, the ICPC, the EFCC, and all relevant security agencies on notice: they will be held responsible for any deterioration in Mallam El-Rufai’s health or any further violation of his rights,” the party warned.
The party added that it has put in motion mechanisms, through every lawful means available locally, nationally, continentally, and internationally, to secure the release of El-Rufai, who, by every practical definition, has become a political prisoner in Nigeria.
