Why APC govt wants to hold El-Rufai until after 2027 election – ADC
African Democratic Congress Accuses APC of Political Motive Behind El-Rufai’s Detention
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has publicly accused the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of deliberately keeping former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai in custody to undermine the opposition in anticipation of the 2027 general election.
In an interview with Channels Television on Thursday, ADC National Publicity Secretary Bolaji Abdullahi expressed concerns regarding the handling of El-Rufai’s case. He emphasized that while the ADC does not oppose the prosecution of individuals with legitimate charges, the circumstances surrounding El-Rufai’s detention suggest a political agenda.
Abdullahi noted that El-Rufai’s continued imprisonment for bailable offenses has led to heightened suspicion among opposition members. He stated, “When you are holding someone in custody for bailable offences, and you proceed to continue to arraign that person and set conditions for bail that are almost impossible to meet, it raises concerns about the intent behind the detention.”
He further alleged that the APC government intends to keep El-Rufai imprisoned until after the election, citing fears about his potential influence on the opposition. “They know that with Malam Nasir El-Rufai freed, the opposition is stronger,” Abdullahi claimed.
Additionally, Abdullahi raised alarms about El-Rufai’s health, reporting that his family has been informed by doctors at the National Hospital that he should remain under medical observation due to a deterioration in his condition. “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,” he said, calling El-Rufai “a political prisoner.”
Abdullahi also accused the APC of leveraging legal actions to weaken opposition forces, suggesting that the ruling party is more focused on the forthcoming elections than on addressing the country’s pressing issues. He stated that the ADC coalition was formed to provide Nigerians with a viable alternative, further dismissing the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda as merely a “slogan.”
El-Rufai is currently facing allegations of financial misconduct brought by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) related to his tenure as governor. He is also on trial in the Federal High Court in Abuja over accusations of unlawfully intercepting telephone communications, a case initiated by the Department of State Services (DSS).
