Why APC Wants El-Rufai Behind Bars Until 2027—ADC

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has alleged that the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led Federal Government is deliberately keeping former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai in detention to weaken the opposition before the 2027 general election.

The allegation was made by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, during an interview on Channels Television on Thursday.

Abdullahi said the ADC was not against the prosecution of anyone facing legitimate criminal allegations. However, he argued that the circumstances surrounding El-Rufai’s continued detention had raised concerns within the opposition that politics, rather than justice, was driving the process.

According to him, the party believes that although the offences against the former governor are bailable, the authorities have continued to keep him in custody while imposing bail conditions that are difficult to meet. He said this has created the impression that there is an intention to prevent his release for an extended period.

The ADC spokesman claimed the ruling party was determined to keep El-Rufai behind bars until after the 2027 elections because it viewed him as a major force capable of strengthening the opposition coalition.

He further alleged that the APC considered El-Rufai’s release a political risk, believing that his return to active politics would boost opposition efforts ahead of the next general election.

Abdullahi also expressed concern over El-Rufai’s health. He said information from the former governor’s family indicated that doctors at the National Hospital had advised that he remain under medical observation after his condition reportedly worsened.

He argued that the Federal Government would be held accountable if anything happened to El-Rufai while he remained in detention, adding that the ADC regarded the former governor as a political detainee.

The party also accused the APC of using legal processes to weaken opposition figures instead of concentrating on addressing the country’s economic and security challenges.

Abdullahi said the ADC coalition was created to provide Nigerians with another political option, while dismissing the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda as lacking meaningful impact.

El-Rufai is currently facing charges filed by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) over alleged financial misconduct during his time as governor of Kaduna State.

He is also standing trial before the Federal High Court in Abuja over allegations of unlawfully intercepting telephone communications in a separate case instituted by the Department of State Services (DSS).