The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has accused the Federal Government of using the detention of former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir el-Rufai, as a political strategy to weaken the opposition ahead of Nigeria’s 2027 general elections.
Speaking on behalf of the party, ADC National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, alleged that the administration of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has no intention of releasing el-Rufai before the next general election, insisting that his continued detention is politically motivated rather than driven by the pursuit of justice.
Abdullahi claimed the development reflects what he described as an increasing pattern of political intimidation targeted at prominent opposition figures, warning that such actions could undermine democratic principles and the credibility of Nigeria’s electoral process if left unchecked.
He, however, stressed that the ADC is not opposed to the prosecution of any individual where there is credible evidence of wrongdoing, emphasising that the party believes in the rule of law and accountability.
“Let me establish the principle that ADC is not opposed to anybody who has a legitimate case to answer from being prosecuted,” Abdullahi said, adding that due process and the independence of the justice system must never be sacrificed for political advantage.
The opposition party argued that criminal prosecution should never be weaponised to silence political rivals or influence the outcome of future elections. It urged the Federal Government to ensure that law enforcement agencies and the judiciary operate without political interference.
The allegations come amid heightened political manoeuvring ahead of the 2027 elections, with opposition parties increasingly accusing the APC-led administration of attempting to suppress dissent, while the ruling party has consistently maintained that anti-corruption and criminal investigations are conducted in accordance with the law and without political considerations.
At the time of filing this report, the Federal Government had not publicly responded to the ADC’s latest allegations. The APC has previously rejected similar claims of political persecution, insisting that no individual is above the law and that ongoing investigations are based solely on legal and constitutional processes.
