The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has said the continued detention of former Kaduna State governor Mallam Nasir El-Rufai is no longer about the Federal Government seeking justice, but a witch-hunt of a political opponent.
The ADC National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, alleged in a statement that President Bola Tinubu is deploying the instruments of state power to keep one of the leading opposition figures out of circulation.
“This is political persecution dressed up as prosecution,” the party stated.
ADC expressed concern about El-Rufai’s deteriorating health condition, stating that his family alleged that he is denied medical access, food delivery, and disregard for a court order granting him access to his doctors.
“These reports, if true, represent a dangerous assault on his dignity, health, and constitutional rights,” the party said.
The party compared his detention with that of former governors, Yahaya Bello of Kogi State who was accused of N80.2 billion money laundering, and Ifeanyi Okowa, of Delta State, who was arrested over the alleged diversion of N1.3 trillion in derivation funds, describing the contrast as “stark and shameful.”
ADC noted that while the duo “are walking around free, singing President Tinubu’s campaign song,” el-Rufai is languishing in detention.
The party recalled that the former Kaduna State governor was first detained in February this year after he voluntarily offered himself for investigation and trial, was later arraigned after weeks in custody and granted bail in April.
“Yet, the government has contrived to keep him in detention perpetually,” ADC said, describing him as “President Bola Tinubu’s political prisoner,” which “brings the president’s democratic credentials into disrepute.”
The party stated that President Tinubu cannot continue to masquerade as a democrat while presiding over the weaponisation of security and anti-corruption agencies against political opponents.
“Nigeria is not under a dictatorship. Therefore, compliance with the rule of law cannot be subject to presidential discretion,” it said, adding that the Federal Government and its agencies would be held responsible for any deterioration in Mallam el-Rufai’s health or any further violation of his rights.
ADC disclosed that it has put in motion mechanisms, “through every lawful means available locally, nationally, continentally, and internationally, to secure the release of Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, who, by every practical definition, has become a political prisoner in Nigeria.”
