Explosive Claim: Opposition Alleges APC Plans Detention of El-Rufai Until 2027 Elections

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has leveled serious accusations against the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), alleging that the continued detention of former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, is a politically motivated strategy designed to undermine the opposition ahead of the 2027 general election. Bolaji Abdullahi, the National Publicity Secretary of the ADC, articulated these claims during an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today, asserting that the opposition believes the federal government has no intention of releasing El-Rufai before the upcoming elections.

According to Abdullahi, the ruling party fears El-Rufai’s significant political influence, which is why they are actively working to keep him in custody. He stated, “What I can tell you is that the thinking within the ADC is that the APC government has concluded that they will not release Malam Nasir El-Rufai until after the elections. That’s what we believe.” Abdullahi further elaborated on this belief, suggesting that the APC recognizes El-Rufai’s release would strengthen the opposition and potentially remind the government of inconvenient truths it prefers to suppress. “So that is why they want to hold him. And I’m telling you that we in the opposition believe they are doing everything to make sure that Malam Nasir El-Rufai remains in custody until after the elections,” he added.

Adding to the party’s concerns, Abdullahi highlighted the deteriorating health of the former governor, stating that El-Rufai requires urgent medical attention. He cited reports from El-Rufai’s family, indicating that doctors at the National Hospital have recommended continuous close medical observation. The ADC issued a stern warning, holding President Bola Tinubu personally responsible should any adverse event occur to El-Rufai while he remains in detention. Abdullahi declared, “If anything happens to Malam Nasir El-Rufai in detention, President Bola Tinubu will be held personally responsible because the buck stops at his table. We say that there is a political prisoner in Nigeria today, and his name is Malam Nasir El-Rufai.”

While emphasizing that the ADC is not inherently against the prosecution of individuals with legitimate cases, Abdullahi questioned the extended detention of the former governor, particularly given that the charges against him are bailable. He criticized the alleged practice of setting nearly impossible bail conditions, which, in the ADC’s view, creates a strong impression of a deliberate intent to keep El-Rufai in perpetual custody by exploiting legal loopholes. Abdullahi further contended that the various cases initiated against members of the opposition are politically motivated, aiming to prevent Nigerians from having credible alternatives in the 2027 elections.

In a broader critique, Abdullahi also accused the APC administration of prioritizing the retention of power over effectively addressing the nation’s pressing challenges, dismissing the government’s “Renewed Hope Agenda” as an empty slogan. He affirmed that the coalition that formed the ADC as a platform for opposition leaders is driven by a commitment to introduce a novel approach to Nigerian politics. Meanwhile, LEADERSHIP reports confirm that El-Rufai is currently facing charges of alleged financial misconduct during his governorship in Kaduna State, a case brought by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) at the Federal High Court. Additionally, he is being tried before the Federal High Court in Abuja on allegations of wiretapping, stemming from a separate case filed by the Department of State Services (DSS).