The African Democratic Congress has warned that President Bola Tinubu and his administration would be held responsible should anything happen to former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai while he remains in state custody.
ADC National Publicity Secretary Bolaji Abdullahi issued the warning during an interview on Symfoni TV, where he alleged that El-Rufai’s continued detention was politically motivated and intended to prevent him from participating in activities ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Abdullahi argued that the allegations against the former governor should be determined by a competent court rather than through what he described as indefinite detention.
According to him, the ADC is not opposed to the investigation or prosecution of any person who has a legitimate case to answer, but the court should be allowed to determine whether El-Rufai is guilty or innocent.
He maintained that keeping the former governor in custody for an extended period suggested that the matter had moved beyond criminal investigation and prosecution into political considerations.
“El-Rufai is not being held today because he committed any crime. That would have been left for the court to decide,” Abdullahi said.
He argued that the continued detention appeared designed to prevent El-Rufai from participating in the coming election and contributing to efforts to strengthen the opposition against the ruling All Progressives Congress.
Abdullahi alleged that the Tinubu administration regarded El-Rufai’s freedom and political involvement as a potential boost for the opposition and was therefore determined to keep him out of circulation.
He warned that regardless of whether the government intended any harm, President Tinubu would bear responsibility should El-Rufai’s health deteriorate or any other misfortune befall him while in custody.
“If anything happens to El-Rufai while he remains in state custody, President Bola Tinubu and his administration will bear full responsibility,” the ADC spokesperson said.
Abdullahi also recalled El-Rufai’s role in supporting Tinubu’s presidential ambition before the 2023 general elections.
He claimed that the former Kaduna governor stood by Tinubu at a time when several members of the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari were reportedly opposed to his presidential bid.
“This same El-Rufai fought for President Bola Tinubu when everyone in Muhammadu Buhari’s cabinet didn’t want him,” he said.
The ADC spokesperson questioned why a politician who played a prominent role in Tinubu’s emergence as president was now being subjected to prolonged detention by agencies operating under the same administration.
El-Rufai is facing multiple criminal proceedings and has pleaded not guilty to the charges filed against him. He remains in the custody of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission while the cases continue before the courts.
The ADC maintained that it would continue to demand respect for his constitutional rights while allowing the courts to independently determine the allegations against him.
