The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has accused the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of deliberately keeping former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai in detention to weaken the opposition ahead of the 2027 general election.
Speaking during an interview on Channels Television, the ADC’s National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, claimed the Federal Government had no intention of allowing El-Rufai to regain his freedom despite the charges against him being bailable.
According to Abdullahi, the opposition believes the continued detention of the former governor is politically motivated and aimed at reducing the influence of opposition parties before Nigerians head to the polls in 2027.
“We in the opposition believe that they are doing everything to make sure that Malam Nasir El-Rufai remains in custody until after the elections,” Abdullahi said.
He further alleged that the APC views El-Rufai as a major political asset to the opposition, arguing that his release could strengthen efforts to challenge the ruling party in the next general election.
“The ruling party knows that with Malam Nasir El-Rufai free, the opposition is stronger. They also know that once released, he is likely to remind them of certain issues they would rather leave behind,” Abdullahi added.
The ADC spokesperson also raised concerns about El-Rufai’s wellbeing, alleging that the former Kaduna governor had not received adequate medical attention while in detention. He warned that President Bola Tinubu would be held politically responsible if anything happened to El-Rufai while in government custody, saying ultimate responsibility rests with the President.
Abdullahi described El-Rufai as a “political prisoner” and accused the government of using strict bail conditions and prolonged detention to suppress opposition voices ahead of the 2027 elections. He also argued that the APC was already focused on retaining power rather than addressing the country’s pressing economic and security challenges.
Nasir El-Rufai is currently facing allegations of financial misconduct brought by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), as well as a separate wiretapping case filed by the Department of State Services (DSS). The former governor has denied all allegations against him.
