African Democratic Congress (ADC) has described the continued detention of former Governor of Kaduna State, Nasir el-Rufai, as a grave violation of his human rights.

The Independent Corrupt Practices and other Offences Commission (ICPC) has been holding the ADC chieftain for over 30 days.

ADC also threatened to petition Amnesty International and other human rights organisations over the violations.

The National Publicity Secretary of ADC, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, in a statement, described the detention as illegal, unconstitutional and an attempt to coerce el-Rufai into abandoning his political choice.

The ADC called on the ICPC to uphold the rule of law by immediately releasing el-Rufai from custody to enable him to prepare his own defence.

The party maintained that detaining a citizen interminably was the hallmark of dictatorship and has no place in a democracy.

The party vowed to petition Amnesty International and other human rights groups if el-Rufai was not released immediately.

The statement reads: “The African Democratic Congress declares that the continued violation of the fundamental rights of Mallam Nasir el-Rufai is a stain on the conscience of our democracy and a dangerous descent into lawlessness by the Bola Tinubu-led government.

“Thirty-two days ago, the former Governor of Kaduna State, Nasiru El-Rufai, honoured an invitation by the EFCC in good faith, an act that should define a law-abiding citizen in a democratic society. Two days after his release, he was taken again, this time by the ICPC. Today, more than 30 days later, he remains in custody without arraignment, without formal charges, and under conditions that, by his own account, include restrictions from his family members and doctor; and coercion to abandon his political rights and associations as the price for his freedom.

“Let us be clear, this is not law enforcement. This is the weaponisation of state institutions against political participation. It is illegal. It is unconstitutional. It is an affront to the very idea of Nigeria as a democratic country.”

According to the party, freedom is not a privilege that is granted at the pleasure of the executive branch, but a right that is guaranteed by the Constitution.

The right, it said, included the right to liberty, the right to a fair hearing, and the right to political participation.

“These are not negotiable. They are not conditional. And they are not to be negotiated in dark rooms under threat by agencies that report to President Tinubu and his appointees,” the party added.