The African Democratic Congress (ADC) claims that the governing All Progressives Congress (APC) is intentionally keeping ex-Kaduna State governor Nasir El-Rufai imprisoned to handicap opposition forces before the 2027 general elections. Bolaji Abdullahi, the National Publicity Secretary for the ADC, voiced these concerns during a recent interview on Channels Television.
While the ADC supports the legal prosecution of valid criminal cases, Abdullahi stated that the government’s approach appears politically motivated. He noted that despite the charges being bailable, the legal proceedings and bail conditions suggest a strategy to keep the former governor detained indefinitely. The ADC believes the ruling party is worried that a liberated El-Rufai would bolster the opposition coalition, directly threatening their political standing.
Abdullahi also highlighted fears regarding El-Rufai’s health, mentioning that family reports indicate a decline in his condition that requires ongoing medical supervision. He warned that President Bola Tinubu would face personal accountability if the former governor suffers harm while in state custody. Furthermore, the ADC accused the APC of prioritizing electoral strategies over national governance, dismissing the administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda as mere rhetoric. El-Rufai is presently dealing with multiple legal challenges, including allegations of financial misconduct from the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission and unauthorized telephone surveillance charges brought by the Department of State Services.
