The camp of the African Democratic Congress presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, has criticised the continued detention of former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai, who it said had spent 200 days in the custody of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission as of Friday, September 4, 2026.
Atiku’s media aide, Paul Ibe, made the position known in a statement while calling for El-Rufai to be treated in line with the law. He said the former governor was entitled to justice, due process and equal treatment regardless of his political affiliation.
Ibe described El-Rufai’s detention as political persecution and alleged that the former governor was being held because of his decision to pursue a different political path ahead of the 2027 general election. The claim is an allegation by Atiku’s camp and has not, by itself, established that El-Rufai’s detention is politically motivated.
The statement questioned the difference in how opposition politicians and members of the ruling All Progressives Congress are being treated by state institutions. Ibe referred to former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello, who is facing an ongoing case brought by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, while remaining politically active and securing the APC senatorial ticket.
Atiku’s camp argued that legal investigations should be allowed to run their course without being used as a means of restricting political competition. It also accused security and anti-corruption agencies, including the police, EFCC and ICPC, of placing pressure on opposition figures as the country moves closer to the 2027 elections.
The camp further criticised the Tinubu administration over economic challenges such as rising food prices, inflation, fuel and electricity costs and the wider pressure on Nigerians. It argued that if the government believes its policies have earned public support, the APC should seek another mandate through its campaign and performance at the polls.
Ibe said the opposition should be challenged through elections rather than through detention, intimidation or prolonged legal battles. He also argued that a government confident in its popularity should allow strong political competition before voters make their choice.
The statement comes as political activities gather pace ahead of the 2027 presidential election, with opposition parties seeking to build stronger alliances and challenge the ruling APC.
Atiku’s camp also warned that the continued detention of opposition figures could affect public confidence in the electoral process. It argued that democracy requires more than conducting elections, as political parties and candidates must also be able to compete freely.
El-Rufai’s continued detention has therefore become part of the wider political debate ahead of 2027, with Atiku’s camp calling for his case to be handled according to due process and for opposition politicians to be allowed to participate in the political process without unlawful pressure.