Paul Ibe, an aide to Atiku Abubakar, the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), has highlighted the prolonged detention of former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai. According to Ibe, El-Rufai has been held for 126 days, a situation he claims demonstrates that President Bola Tinubu is using state power to intimidate the former governor following his departure from the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Through a social media post, Ibe characterized the ongoing legal proceedings against El-Rufai as a fraudulent process. He suggested that political motives drive the trial, noting that associates have advised El-Rufai to reconcile with President Tinubu. Ibe further alleged that the administration aims to keep the politician in custody beyond the 2027 general elections, pointing to a recent court adjournment as evidence.
Furthermore, Ibe criticized the bail terms set for El-Rufai, describing them as excessively harsh and designed to ensure his continued incarceration. He claimed these conditions ultimately reward corruption among civil servants, forcing individuals to amass wealth quickly to meet such financial demands.
