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By Lawrence Agbo
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has accused the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of deliberately keeping former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai in detention until after the 2027 general election to weaken the opposition.
Speaking on Channels Television on Thursday, the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, alleged that the Federal Government had no intention of releasing El-Rufai despite the charges against him being bailable.
“We in the opposition believe that they are doing everything to make sure that Malam Nasir El-Rufai remains in custody until after the elections,” Abdullahi said.
He claimed the APC believed El-Rufai’s release would strengthen the opposition ahead of the 2027 polls.
“They know that with Malam Nasir El-Rufai freed, the opposition is stronger, and they know that if they release him, he is going to remind them of certain things that they would rather forget,” he added.
The ADC spokesperson also expressed concern over El-Rufai’s health, alleging that he had been denied adequate medical care while in custody.
“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,” Abdullahi said.
He described the former governor as “a political prisoner” and accused the government of using stringent bail conditions and prolonged detention to suppress political opposition ahead of the next general election.
Abdullahi further argued that the APC was more focused on the 2027 elections than addressing Nigeria’s challenges, adding that opposition parties formed the ADC coalition to provide Nigerians with a credible political alternative.
El-Rufai is facing charges of alleged financial misconduct filed by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), as well as a separate wire-tapping case instituted by the Department of State Services (DSS). He has denied wrongdoing.
