The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has expressed concern over the continued detention of former Kaduna State governor, Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai, alleging that his health is deteriorating amid claims by his family that he has been denied adequate medical access and other basic rights.
In a statement, the opposition party said reports indicating restrictions on food delivery and non-compliance with a court order granting El-Rufai access to his doctors, if verified, amount to a violation of his dignity, health, and constitutional rights.
The ADC argued that the former governor’s detention had moved beyond legal proceedings and had taken on political dimensions.
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“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 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 party stated.
The party compared El-Rufai’s case with those of other former public officials facing corruption allegations, citing former Kogi governor Yahaya Bello and former Delta governor Ifeanyi Okowa.
According to the ADC, Bello is facing an alleged N80.2 billion money laundering case, while Okowa was previously arrested over allegations involving N1.3 trillion in derivation funds.
“Today, they are walking around free, singing President Tinubu’s campaign song,” the party said.
The ADC recalled that El-Rufai was first detained in February after voluntarily presenting himself for investigation and was later arraigned and granted bail in April, but alleged that authorities had continued to keep him in custody.
The party declared that “Mallam Nasir El-Rufai is President Bola Tinubu’s political prisoner,” adding that the situation raises questions about the administration’s democratic credentials.
It further accused President Bola Ahmed Tinubu of weaponising state institutions against political opponents.
The ADC also warned that the presidency, alongside agencies including the EFCC and ICPC, would be held responsible for any worsening of El-Rufai’s health condition or further rights violations.
The party added that it had begun pursuing legal and diplomatic channels “locally, nationally, continentally, and internationally” to secure the release of the former governor.