APC chieftain links former gov’s ordeal to alleged 2027 alliance with Obi
The detention of former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir Ahmad el-Rufai, yesterday triggered fresh political controversy as the African Democratic Congress (ADC) accused President Bola Ahmed Tinubu of political persecution, while the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) defended its custody procedures and denied allegations of inhumane treatment.

The ADC raised concerns over what it described as the deteriorating health condition of el-Rufai and called on Nigerians to hold President Tinubu responsible should “anything negative” happen to the former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

The party’s position followed reports alleging that authorities denied el-Rufai access to his doctors and prevented his wife from delivering food to him while in custody.

In a statement issued by its National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, the opposition party accused the President of deploying state institutions to silence opposition figures, describing el-Rufai as a “political prisoner.”

According to the statement, “The African Democratic Congress is deeply concerned about the continued detention of Mallam Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai and his deteriorating health condition, following reports from his family alleging denial of medical access, restriction of food delivery, and disregard for a court order granting him access to his doctors.”

The party argued that despite voluntarily presenting himself for investigation and trial, el-Rufai had remained in prolonged detention and continued to face repeated court appearances.

ADC also drew comparisons with other high-profile corruption cases, noting that former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello and former Delta State Governor Ifeanyi Okowa were no longer in detention despite facing allegations involving alleged financial crimes.

“What is happening to Mallam El-Rufai confirms beyond all doubt that this detention is no longer about justice, it is about politics,” the statement added.

The party further said: “We state clearly: Mallam Nasir El-Rufai is President Bola Tinubu’s political prisoner. This alone brings the President’s democratic credentials into disrepute.”

ADC also warned that President Tinubu, the ICPC, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), and other security agencies would be held responsible for any deterioration in the former governor’s health or any further violation of his rights.

HOWEVER, the ICPC rejected allegations that el-Rufai was denied food, medical access or family visitation rights, describing the claims as “false and misleading.”

The Commission’s Deputy Director and Head of Media and Public Communications, J. Okor Odey, said the anti-corruption agency was compelled to respond to what it described as distorted narratives circulating in the media.

The controversy followed the circulation of a Hausa-language video interview in which a woman identified as one of el-Rufai’s wives alleged that ICPC operatives denied her entry into the Commission’s Abuja headquarters around 7:00 p.m. when she attempted to deliver food to her husband.

She also alleged that the Commission violated a court order granting family access to the detained former governor.

But the ICPC maintained that its access control policy, which permits visitor access between 9:00 a.m. and 6:30 p.m., was a longstanding institutional protocol applicable to all detainees and visitors.

According to Odey, one of el-Rufai’s wives and a housemaid were granted access on at least three occasions between 10:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. on the day of the incident to deliver food to the former governor.

“The records are clearly documented in the visitor register and available for independent verification,” he stated.

Odey added that the woman featured in the viral video admitted arriving at the premises around 7:00 p.m., which was beyond the approved visiting hours.

The ICPC spokesperson also stated that the same woman acknowledged during the interview that she had earlier delivered breakfast and lunch to her husband, contradicting claims that he was denied food.

The Commission further disclosed that el-Rufai had recently been allowed to visit both his dentist and eye doctor under official escort and also had access to the agency’s in-house medical facilities.

Meanwhile, a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress in Kaduna State alleged that el-Rufai’s current ordeal was connected to political developments ahead of the 2027 presidential election.

Speaking to The Guardian in confidence, the APC chieftain claimed that although allegations of wire-tapping and financial misappropriation existed, fears that el-Rufai could emerge as running mate to Peter Obi were central to the former governor’s prolonged detention.

The source claimed that tensions escalated after el-Rufai allegedly posted what he described as the “actual result” of the 2023 presidential election on Facebook and declared President Tinubu a one-term president.

The APC chieftain also alleged that the Federal Government became concerned over reports that el-Rufai and Obi were exploring possible political platforms ahead of the 2027 election.

According to the source, “By the time he was doing all that, the government had already learned that he wants to run for the 2027 presidency with Peter Obi. That plan was something the APC-led Federal Government did not want.”

The source further claimed that although el-Rufai had been granted bail by a Federal High Court presided over by Justice Joyce Abdulmalik, his future political participation would remain limited because of the ongoing legal situation.