ADC Spokesman Warns Tinubu Over El-Rufai’s Continued Detention, Alleges Political Motive

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has intensified its criticism of the Federal Government over the continued detention of former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai, with the party warning President Bola Tinubu against any harm befalling the opposition figure.

ADC National Publicity Secretary Bolaji Abdullahi said President Tinubu would be held personally responsible if anything happened to El-Rufai while in detention, describing the former governor’s continued custody as politically motivated.

El-Rufai was detained by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) in February 2026 following a petition alleging corruption, abuse of office and money laundering during his tenure as governor of Kaduna State.

The anti-graft agency subsequently obtained a 14-day remand order from a Magistrate Court in Abuja under the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) 2015, a detention that was later extended.

Speaking during an interview on Symponi TV, Abdullahi argued that El-Rufai’s prolonged detention was aimed at weakening the opposition ahead of the 2027 general elections rather than allowing the courts to determine his innocence or guilt.

“Nasir El-Rufai is not being held today because he committed any crime, as that would have been left for the court to decide. Let the court pronounce that he’s guilty or not guilty,” Abdullahi said.

He further alleged that the government’s intention was to keep the former governor out of active politics ahead of the next election cycle.

“To continue to hold him speaks to something else. It’s clear to us that the desire and intentions of this government is to continue to hold El-Rufai to ensure that he does not participate in this election and does not strengthen the opposition.”

Abdullahi also issued a strong warning, saying the ADC would hold the President accountable if anything happened to El-Rufai while in custody.

“I will repeat it here that if, God forbid, anything happens to El-Rufai, President Bola Tinubu should realize—even if he didn’t intend it—that he would be held personally responsible, and the consequences can’t be imagined,” he said.

The Federal Government and the ICPC have yet to publicly respond to Abdullahi’s latest remarks.