ADC Alleges El-Rufai's Health Deterioration, Blames Tinubu
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has expressed grave concern over the deteriorating health of former Kaduna State Governor, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, and warned that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will be held responsible if any harm befalls him.
In a statement issued by its National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, the party accused the President of using state institutions to suppress opposition voices, describing El-Rufai as a “political prisoner.” The ADC’s warning follows reports that El-Rufai has been denied access to his doctors and that his wife was prevented from delivering food to him while in custody.
The party argued that despite voluntarily submitting himself to authorities, El-Rufai has faced prolonged detention and repeated court appearances, unlike other high-profile corruption suspects such as Yahaya Bello and Ifeanyi Okowa, who remain free.
“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 statement read.
“These reports, if true, represent a dangerous assault on his dignity, health, and constitutional rights. What is happening to Mallam El-Rufai confirms beyond all doubt that this detention is no longer about justice, it is about politics. It also confirms our fears that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is deploying the instruments of state power to keep one of the leading opposition figures out of circulation. This is political persecution dressed up as prosecution.”
The ADC highlighted disparities in the treatment of corruption suspects, noting that Yahaya Bello, accused in an N80.2 billion money laundering case, and Ifeanyi Okowa, accused of diverting N1.3 trillion in derivation funds, are both free and actively supporting President Tinubu.
“Mallam El-Rufai was first detained in February after he voluntarily offered himself for investigation and trial. He was later arraigned after weeks in custody and granted bail in April. Yet, the government has contrived to keep him in detention perpetually,” the ADC stated.
The party declared that El-Rufai is President Tinubu’s political prisoner, bringing the President’s democratic credentials into disrepute. “President Tinubu cannot continue to masquerade as a democrat while presiding over the weaponisation of security and anti-corruption agencies against political opponents. Nigeria is not under a dictatorship. Therefore, compliance with the rule of law cannot be subject to presidential discretion,” the statement added.
The ADC warned that it has placed President Tinubu, the ICPC, the EFCC, and all relevant security agencies on notice, holding them responsible for any further deterioration in El-Rufai’s health or violation of his rights. The party also announced that it has initiated mechanisms through lawful means locally, nationally, continentally, and internationally to secure El-Rufai’s release.
