ADC Alleges APC Plans to Keep El-Rufai Until After 2027 Poll

The African Democratic Congress, ADC, on Thursday alleged that the All Progressives Congress, APC, intends to keep former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai in detention until after the 2027 general election, claiming the ruling party believes his release before the polls would strengthen the opposition.

The allegation was made by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, during an appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Today. He said the opposition had concluded that the APC government had no plans to allow El-Rufai regain his freedom before Nigerians go to the polls in 2027.

According to Abdullahi, the ADC has no objection to the prosecution of anyone facing legitimate criminal charges. However, he argued that the situation becomes questionable when a person is kept in custody over offences that qualify for bail while conditions attached to the bail process are difficult to meet.

He said the circumstances surrounding El-Rufai’s continued detention had created the belief within the opposition that the former governor was being deliberately kept out of circulation for political reasons rather than legal ones.

Abdullahi claimed the ruling party believed El-Rufai’s release before the election would make the opposition more united and stronger. He also alleged that those in power were concerned that the former governor could play an active role in challenging the government if he regained his freedom before the campaign season reached its peak.

The ADC spokesman maintained that members of the opposition were convinced that every effort was being made to ensure El-Rufai remained in custody until after the 2027 election.

El-Rufai’s detention has continued to generate political debate in recent weeks, with several opposition figures and parties calling for his release or questioning the conditions attached to his bail. The Federal Government has yet to respond to the latest claims made by the ADC.