National Publicity Secretary of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Bolaji Abdullahi, has alleged that the continued detention of former Kaduna State Governor, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, is driven by political motives rather than legal considerations.
Speaking during an interview, Abdullahi argued that if El-Rufai had committed any offence, it should be left for the courts to determine his guilt or innocence. He maintained that keeping the former governor in custody indefinitely suggests there are other intentions behind his detention.
According to him, the aim of the President Bola Tinubu-led administration is to prevent El-Rufai from participating in future elections and strengthening the opposition.
Abdullahi also recalled El-Rufai’s role in Tinubu’s emergence as president, claiming the former governor mobilized support for Tinubu in northern Nigeria during the 2023 presidential election when many others were reluctant to do so.
He further expressed concern over El-Rufai’s reported health, saying the ADC had received information suggesting it was deteriorating while in custody.
“If anything happens to Mallam Nasir El-Rufai while he remains in state custody, President Bola Tinubu and his administration will bear full responsibility,” Abdullahi said.
He insisted that El-Rufai’s detention “is not about the law, justice or crime, but politics.”
