The African Democratic Congress (ADC) alleged that its leaders were denied access to former Kaduna State governor, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, who is presently in detention in the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) facilities.
The former governor’s wife, Hajiya Asia El-Rufai, had, a few days ago, also alleged she was prevented from delivering food to him, and he was not allowed to see his doctor.
This was later denied by the commission, which claimed that Hajiya el-Rufai arrived after the visiting period for the day had elapsed.
ADC, however, said it followed due process and had applied to allow its senior leaders to visit the former governor.
The party, in a statement by the National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, said the delegation comprising the National Secretary, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, Abdullahi and the Secretary of the ADC Policy and Manifesto Committee, Mallam Salihu Lukman, was not allowed to see Mallam el-Rufai, without any reasonable explanation, despite prior communication and formal requests.
“While we were at the premises awaiting a response to our request, the atmosphere suddenly became noticeably tense after no fewer than three truckloads of armed police officers arrived at the facility.
“The heavy deployment, which appeared entirely unnecessary and disproportionate to the peaceful presence of unarmed political leaders, created the unmistakable impression that the authorities feared that the mere presence of opposition leaders at the Commission could trigger public outrage,” ADC stated.
The party said it is deeply troubling that a simple request by senior party officials to visit a detained colleague was met, not with professionalism, but with a show of force, which it added was more suited to the suppression of civil unrest.
ADC stated that at no point did members of the delegation threaten disorder, incite confrontation, or mobilise supporters to the premises.
“Yet the response of the state suggested panic, fear, and an attempt to intimidate not only our party leaders, but also any Nigerian who may dare to question the treatment being meted out to opposition figures,” the statement added.
It stated that such actions only reinforce growing public concern that state institutions are increasingly being used, not merely for law enforcement, but as instruments of political pressure and psychological intimidation against dissenting voices.
“It is important to state that the National Secretary of the ADC had previously written officially to the Chairman of the ICPC, Dr Musa Adamu Aliyu, requesting visitation rights to Mallam El-Rufai, especially in light of growing public concerns regarding his well-being and reports that he has faced repeated restrictions on access to family members and medical personnel,” ADC said.
The party stated that el-Rufai is not a fugitive, noting that he voluntarily submitted himself to the authorities.
According to the ADC, under the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, he is entitled to dignity, medical care, family access, and fair treatment under the law.
“What we are witnessing increasingly appears to be punishment by process, intimidation through isolation, and an attempt to break the spirit of a leading opposition figure,” the party regretted.
It called on the ICPC to immediately grant unrestricted access to Mallam el-Rufai by his family, doctors, lawyers, and leaders of his political party.
“Anything short of this will only reinforce public perception that state institutions are being weaponised against opposition voices,” ADC stated.
