Former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, has been embroiled in a series of controversies following an alleged attempt by security operatives to arrest him at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, upon his return from Cairo. This incident, initially reported by his Media Adviser, Muyiwa Adekeye, saw security agents approaching El-Rufai as he disembarked from his flight with intentions to take him into custody. In the wake of this event, El-Rufai publicly alleged that the National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu, was directly behind the directive targeting him, a claim he reiterated during a solidarity visit from former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, who condemned the incident as an embarrassment to all Nigerians.

Further escalating the situation, El-Rufai made a controversial admission on AriseTv, stating, "Ribadu made the call because we listened to their calls. The government thinks that they’re the only ones that listen to calls. But we also have our ways. He made the call. He gave the order that they should arrest me.” He acknowledged that this action "technically is illegal" but justified it by saying "the government does it all the time. They listen to our calls all the time without a court order." This assertion prompted the Bola Tinubu-led Presidency to call for a thorough investigation. Presidential Spokesperson Bayo Onanuga questioned the implications of El-Rufai's confession, asking, "Does it mean that he and his collaborators have wire-tapping facilities?" Onanuga emphasized the seriousness of the matter, urging relevant authorities to act and stating that "El-Rufai is not too big to face the wrath of the law."

The former governor's public posture as an advocate of due process has drawn sharp criticism from human rights lawyer and activist Chidi Odinkalu. Reacting to El-Rufai's recent statements, Odinkalu accused him of hypocrisy, alleging that he himself narrowly escaped an abduction in the past that he attributed to actions taken during El-Rufai's tenure. Odinkalu recounted an instance where an unacquainted police officer alerted him to plans that "almost assuredly saved me from abduction at his hands," implying El-Rufai's involvement. Odinkalu sarcastically labeled El-Rufai "the #VileLittleMan" and an "apostle of due process, spreading spittle from studio to studio," highlighting a perceived contradiction between El-Rufai's current rhetoric and his past conduct.

Adding another layer to the unfolding drama, human rights lawyer Deji Adeyanju urged El-Rufai to submit himself for investigation, expressing skepticism about the former governor's claims of an unlawful arrest at the airport. Speaking during an interview with ARISE News, Adeyanju suggested that El-Rufai, whom he described as "extremely sensational and is a drama artist," might have staged the incident for media attention, arriving "very prepared for cameras." Adeyanju dismissed the idea of an attempted arrest, proposing instead that security agents aimed to seize El-Rufai's passport, a goal they reportedly achieved. He explained that such a seizure could be lawful under Section 2 of the DSS instrument regulation, which permits the DSS to confiscate a passport if the individual is on a watch list, especially when there is "probable cause" for an arrest.

Adeyanju further stressed that while any unlawful arrest would be condemned and El-Rufai's rights must be respected, he "must be investigated." He noted that El-Rufai himself had admitted knowledge of ongoing investigations by agencies like the EFCC and ICPC, questioning why the former governor would "creat[e] the drama there" if he was aware of being sought. Adeyanju pointed out that some of El-Rufai’s aides are already in custody or standing trial, reiterating the call for El-Rufai to "submit himself to investigation and probe," clarifying that an investigation does not imply guilt but is a necessary step before any potential charges. In response, El-Rufai confirmed via his official X handle that he would comply with an ICPC invitation, with his lawyer confirming his attendance at the ICPC office on Wednesday, February 18, 2026. This complex interplay of accusations, counter-accusations, and legal calls underscores the heightened political tensions and the critical importance of adherence to lawful investigations and due process within Nigeria's political landscape.