ADC also expressed concern over El-Rufai’s health, saying that the former Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister needs proper medical care.
By Kehinde Okeowo
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has said the continued detention of former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, is a deliberate ploy by the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to weaken the opposition ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The party levelled the allegation on Thursday while its National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, was speaking as a guest on a Channels Television programme.
El-Rufai is currently facing charges of alleged financial misconduct during his time as Kaduna State Governor in a case filed by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).
The ADC chieftain is also standing trial in a separate alleged wiretapping case filed by the Department of State Services (DSS).
He has since been granted bail by the court, but he is yet to perfect the conditions set by the trial judge.
Reacting to the development, Abdullahi said the ADC supports the prosecution of anyone with a genuine case to answer.
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He, however, argued that keeping El-Rufai in custody over bailable offences and setting what he described as difficult bail conditions raised concerns.
He said: “ADC is not opposed to anybody who has a legitimate case to answer being prosecuted.”
Abdullahi added: “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.”
He went on to claim that the government believed a free El-Rufai would strengthen the opposition and increase pressure on the ruling party before the 2027 polls.
He also expressed concern over the health of the former Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, saying that he needed proper medical care.
Abdullahi continued: “If anything happens to Malam Nasir El-Rufai in detention, President Bola Tinubu will be held personally responsible.”
The ADC spokesman further alleged that the government was more focused on the 2027 elections than addressing Nigeria’s challenges, describing the Renewed Hope Agenda as “just a slogan that does not mean anything.”
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