By Tonye Apiri
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has alleged that the Federal Government is deliberately holding former Kaduna Governor Nasir El-Rufai in custody beyond the 2027 elections as part of a plot to weaken opposition parties.
ADC National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, made the allegation on Channels Television on Thursday, claiming the Federal Government was in no rush to release El-Rufai even though the charges he faces qualify for bail.
“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 argued that the APC understands El-Rufai’s freedom would energise rival parties.
“They know that with Malam Nasir El-Rufai freed, the opposition is stronger, and they know that if they release him, he is going to remind them of certain things that they would rather forget,” he stressed.
The ADC spokesperson also alleged that the ex-governor of Kaduna State was being denied proper medical attention.
“If anything happens to Malam Nasir El-Rufai in detention, President Bola Tinubu will be held personally responsible because the buck stops on the table,” Abdullahi warned.
He labelled El-Rufai a “political prisoner” and accused authorities of imposing tough bail terms and extended detention to emasculate political opposition ahead of 2027.
Abdullahi further said the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) is preoccupied with the next general elections rather than fixing Nigeria’s problems. He noted the ADC coalition was formed to give Nigerians a viable alternative.
In a related development, Vice-presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Rabiu Kwankwaso, has frowned at El-Rufai’s prolonged detention, describing it as a painful experience for his family.
In a statement posted on his X handle on Thursday, Kwankwaso said “it was distressing watching the wives of Mallam Nasir El-Rufai publicly express the family’s anguish over his prolonged detention”
The NDC vice-presidential demanded transparent and expeditious trial of El-Rufai, noting that “as an unconvicted citizen, he deserves fair and expeditious trial, while his health and that of his family are adequately safeguarded”.
El-Rufai is being prosecuted by the ICPC over alleged financial impropriety. He is also being quizzed by the DSS in a separate wire-tapping case. The former Kaduna governor has denied all the charges preferred against him.