El-Rufai in Detention for 178 Days, Fadahunsi Still Free – Atiku’s Aide

Paul Ibe, a media aide to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, has questioned why former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai has reportedly spent 178 days in detention while Osun East Senator Francis Fadahunsi remains free after making a controversial statement about members of the Accord Party.

Ibe made the claim on Friday while reacting to the political situation in Osun State and the controversy surrounding Fadahunsi’s comment ahead of Saturday’s governorship election.

He alleged that El-Rufai’s continued detention was connected to his decision to leave the All Progressives Congress and align with the African Democratic Congress.

Ibe also questioned why Fadahunsi had not been arrested over a viral video in which he appeared to call on APC supporters in Osun to kill members of the Accord Party.

According to Ibe, the different treatment of the two politicians raised questions about whether the Federal Government was targeting opposition figures rather than dealing with political and corruption-related matters equally.

He further alleged that some APC members facing corruption cases had continued with their political activities and were allowed to contest elections.

The comments followed the circulation of a video involving Fadahunsi in which he appeared to urge APC supporters to attack Accord Party members.

The senator later explained that his statement was not a call for the physical killing of political opponents. He said he was referring to defeating Accord supporters through votes during the election.

The controversy has continued to attract reactions as political parties prepare for the Osun governorship election scheduled for Saturday.

The election has placed the ruling Accord Party, APC and other opposition parties in a major contest, with security and political tensions rising across parts of the state.
Ibe used the development to question what he described as unequal treatment of politicians based on their political affiliations.

His comments have also added to the wider debate over the treatment of opposition politicians and the conduct of political actors ahead of the 2027 general elections.