ADC Condemns El-Rufai's Detention as Human Rights Violation
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has issued a strong condemnation of the continued detention of former Kaduna State Governor, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, describing it as a grave violation of his fundamental human rights and an affront to democratic principles.
Unconstitutional Detention
According to the ADC's National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, the Independent Corrupt Practices and other offences Commission (ICPC) has held the former governor for over thirty days without formal charges or arraignment. The party maintains this detention is illegal and unconstitutional, representing what they characterize as an attempt to coerce El-Rufai into abandoning his political affiliations and rights.
The ADC statement declared: "The continued violation of the fundamental rights of Mallam Nasiru El-Rufai is a stain on the conscience of our democracy and a dangerous descent into lawlessness by the Bola Tinubu-led government."
Sequence of Events
The party detailed that thirty-two days prior, El-Rufai had voluntarily honored an invitation from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in what should have exemplified law-abiding citizenship. After being released by the EFCC, he was subsequently taken into custody by the ICPC two days later and has remained detained since.
The ADC alleges that during this detention, El-Rufai has faced restrictions from family members and medical professionals, with authorities allegedly pressuring him to renounce his political associations as a condition for release.
Broader Implications for Democracy
The political party framed this situation as part of a concerning pattern, stating: "This is not law enforcement. This is the weaponisation of state institutions against political participation." They emphasized that freedom is not an executive privilege but a constitutional right encompassing liberty, fair hearing, and political participation.
ADC warned that such actions threaten Nigeria's democratic foundations, noting: "A government that detains without charge, intimidates without evidence, and demands silence in exchange for freedom is not acting like a democratic government."
Call to Action and International Attention
The party has called for El-Rufai's immediate release or prompt arraignment before a competent court. They have also threatened to petition Amnesty International and other human rights organizations if their demands are not met.
ADC challenged President Bola Tinubu to demonstrate commitment to the rule of law through concrete actions, calling on all relevant state actors including the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, and ICPC leadership to comply with constitutional provisions.
Historical Context and Irony
The statement highlighted what they termed a profound irony, noting that President Tinubu, who once fought alongside NADECO against military dictatorship, now presides over actions reminiscent of those same abuses. They cautioned that the erosion of rights typically begins with one individual before spreading more widely when met with silence.
The ADC concluded with a stark warning: "Today it is El-Rufai. Tomorrow, it could be anyone else that the president sees as a threat to his 2027 agenda." They urged Nigerians across political, religious, and regional divides to defend constitutional rights against what they characterize as selective justice and political suppression.
