El-Rufai’s detention shows drift toward dictatorship, ADC tells Tinubu

2026-03-18 - 15:22

By Luminous Jannamike, Abuja The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has accused President Bola Ahmed Tinubu of pushing Nigeria toward authoritarian rule, saying the continued detention of former Kaduna State governor Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai points to a “drift toward dictatorship”. At the centre of the standoff is a straightforward but serious claim: that El-Rufai has been in the custody of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) for more than 30 days without being charged or taken to court, raising concerns about political pressure, abuse of power, and what it could mean for the 2027 elections. The position was contained in a statement on Wednesday by Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, National Publicity Secretary of the ADC, who spoke on behalf of the party. “The African Democratic Congress declares that 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. “Thirty-two days ago, the former Governor of Kaduna State, Mallam Nasiru El-Rufai, honoured an invitation by the EFCC in good faith, an act that should define a law-abiding citizen in a democratic society. Two days after his release, he was taken again, this time by the ICPC. Today, more than 30 days later, he remains in custody without arraignment, without formal charges, and under conditions that, by his own account, include restrictions from his family members and doctor, as well as coercion to abandon his political rights and associations as the price for his freedom. “Let us be clear: this is not law enforcement. This is the weaponisation of state institutions against political participation. It is illegal. It is unconstitutional. It is an affront to the very idea of Nigeria as a democratic country. “Freedom is not a privilege granted at the pleasure of the executive; it is a right guaranteed by the Constitution, the right to liberty, the right to a fair hearing, and the right to political participation. These are not negotiable, not conditional, and not to be traded in dark rooms under threat by agencies that report to the president and his appointees,” the party said without mincing words. The ADC also turned directly to the President, urging him to show, in practical terms, that he still stands by the rule of law. “If President Bola Tinubu intends to govern as though the Constitution is optional, then he owes Nigerians the honesty to say so openly. He must declare, without pretence, that the rules of democracy no longer apply.” “But if the President still claims allegiance to the rule of law, then we challenge him to prove it in action.” “In this regard, the ADC demands the immediate and unconditional compliance of all relevant state actors with the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. This includes the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, the leadership of the ICPC, and all agencies involved in this matter,” the ADC stated. The party widened its warning, saying the situation should concern all Nigerians, not just one political figure. “As a law-abiding party, we call on all Nigerians, across party lines, states, and religions, to rise in defence of the Constitution. Today it is El-Rufai; tomorrow, it could be anyone the president sees as a threat to his 2027 agenda. “We demand the immediate release of Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, or his immediate arraignment before a court of competent jurisdiction—nothing more, nothing less. That is the law,” Abdullahi said. The ADC added that it may take the matter beyond Nigeria if nothing changes, warning that the issue now goes beyond one man and speaks to the state of the country’s democracy.