The Coalition Political Action Committee (COPAC) has warned the Federal Government that the rule of law in Nigeria cannot be suspended for political convenience, urging prominent opposition figures to speak out against the continued detention of former Kaduna State Governor, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, and former Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN).

The coalition specifically called on former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi, former Minister of Transportation Rotimi Amaechi, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso and Senator Aminu Waziri Tambuwal to publicly condemn what it described as a rising pattern of injustice.

COPAC argued that the 14-day remand order obtained by investigators in the case involving El-Rufai had expired, stressing that the order was granted for a specific and limited purpose—to allow investigators complete their work within a defined constitutional timeframe.

In a statement issued by the convener of the coalition, Aminu Datti-Ahmed, the group maintained that the warrant was not granted as a licence for indefinite detention, procedural manipulation, or political theatre.

According to the statement, “Under Section 35 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the liberty of every citizen is protected by law. Investigative detention is strictly temporary and must lead, within a reasonable time, to either formal charges before a competent court or the immediate release of the detainee.

“The Federal Government must therefore do one of two things in the case involving El-Rufai: file formal charges before a court or release the detainee immediately.

“Anything outside these clearly defined legal options would amount to acting illegally and unconstitutionally, and would render the continued detention an abuse of state power and a violation of the constitutional rights guaranteed to every Nigerian citizen.”

The coalition also stated that the conduct of security operatives in the cases involving El-Rufai and Abubakar Malami runs contrary to Nigeria’s obligations under international human rights law, including Article 9 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and Article 6 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, both of which prohibit arbitrary arrest and detention and require that any deprivation of liberty be strictly governed by law and subject to judicial oversight.

“Make no mistake, the danger of this moment cannot be overstated. Nigeria is witnessing a disturbing pattern in which state institutions deploy investigative powers against political actors in a manner that raises legitimate questions about selectivity, timing and motive.

“This is why silence from other opposition leaders at this moment is both dangerous and irresponsible.”

COPAC therefore called on leading opposition figures, including Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi, Tambuwal, Amaechi and Kwankwaso, as well as other political leaders who claim to stand for democratic accountability, to immediately speak out against any attempt to harass, intimidate or clamp down on opposition figures.

“This is not about El-Rufai. This is about ensuring that the law remains a level playing field. The rule of law must never become a selective weapon used against those who fall out of favour with those who hold power,” the statement added.
The coalition warned that history shows the dangers of silence when state power is used against political opponents.
“First they came for Tambuwal, and I did not speak out because I was not Tambuwal.

“Then they came for Malami, and I did not speak out because I was not Malami.

“Then they came for Kwankwaso, and I did not speak out because I was not Kwankwaso.

“Then they came for El-Rufai, and I did not speak out because I was not El-Rufai.

“Then they came for me, and there was no one left to speak out for me.”

COPAC concluded by insisting that if the government has evidence against the detained individuals, it should file charges immediately.

“If the government has evidence, it should file charges. If it does not, it must release the detainees.

“The law is not optional. The Constitution is not a suggestion. And the Nigerian people will not remain silent if the guarantees of liberty written into our Constitution are treated as expendable.

“Nigeria is a constitutional democracy, not a police state.”