The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has challenged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to release former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai from detention, alleging that the ruling party is deliberately keeping him in custody because it fears the political influence he could wield ahead of the 2027 general election.
The political battle ahead of the 2027 elections has intensified, with the African Democratic Congress (ADC) accusing the Tinubu administration of using the criminal justice system to weaken the opposition.
The party claimed that the continued detention of former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai is politically motivated, insisting the APC fears the role he could play if released before the next election.
Speaking during a televised interview, ADC National Publicity Secretary Bolaji Abdullahi alleged that the ruling party has concluded it will not release El-Rufai until after the 2027 polls.
According to him, while the ADC does not oppose the prosecution of anyone with legitimate criminal allegations, it believes the continued detention of the former governor despite facing bailable offences raises serious questions.
Abdullahi argued that the prolonged legal process and strict bail conditions have reinforced the opposition’s belief that El-Rufai is being kept out of the political space because of his perceived influence.
El-Rufai is currently facing multiple legal proceedings, including corruption-related charges and a separate case involving allegations of unlawful interception of communications.
His wife and political allies have repeatedly expressed concern over his health and continued detention, while opposition figures, including Atiku Abubakar, have warned that the Federal Government would be held responsible should anything happen to him in custody.
The Presidency has not publicly accepted the ADC’s allegation that El-Rufai’s detention is politically motivated. The cases against the former governor remain before the courts.
Abdullahi maintained that if the APC truly believes the criminal charges are purely legal and not political, the government should allow the judicial process to proceed without conditions that effectively keep El-Rufai behind bars.
He further alleged that the ruling party views El-Rufai’s freedom as a boost to the opposition coalition preparing to challenge President Tinubu in 2027.
The latest remarks add another layer to the growing political tension ahead of the 2027 elections, with both the ruling APC and the opposition ADC increasingly accusing each other of using state institutions for political advantage. As El-Rufai’s legal battles continue, the controversy surrounding his detention is likely to remain a major point of political contention in the months ahead.