The Africa Democratic Congress (ADC) has declared that President Bola Tinubu will be held personally accountable if anything happens to former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai while he remains in custody of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC). The party’s spokesperson, Bolaji Abdullahi, made this statement during an appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Thursday night, asserting that El-Rufai is being detained as a political prisoner. Abdullahi emphasized that El-Rufai’s health is deteriorating and requires immediate medical attention, warning that failure to provide proper care could lead to serious consequences.
According to Abdullahi, El-Rufai has a known medical condition that needs urgent and professional treatment. He cited information from El-Rufai’s family, who reported that the former governor had recently been at the National Hospital, where medical staff advised that he be kept under close observation due to worsening health. The ADC spokesperson stressed that while the ICPC may not intend to harm El-Rufai, the lack of medical intervention could still result in serious harm. “You may not intend it,” Abdullahi said, “but if you don’t let this person be, if you don’t let Malam Nasir El-Rufai get the medical help he needed, then you are not helping him.”
The ADC’s stance has been echoed by its presidential candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, who also warned that President Tinubu will bear personal responsibility if El-Rufai’s health deteriorates or if he suffers any harm while in custody. The party insists that El-Rufai’s detention is politically motivated and not based on legitimate legal grounds. Abdullahi described El-Rufai as “a political prisoner in Nigeria right now,” highlighting the ADC’s belief that the former governor is being targeted for his political affiliations and past governance.
The ICPC has not publicly responded to the ADC’s claims or the health concerns raised by El-Rufai’s family. However, the party’s statement has intensified scrutiny over the conditions of El-Rufai’s detention and the broader issue of political detention in Nigeria. The ADC’s warning underscores growing concerns about the treatment of high-profile political figures under investigation and the potential for abuse of power in the enforcement of anti-corruption laws.
As the situation unfolds, the ADC continues to call for transparency and accountability from the federal government. The party’s stance reflects a broader political tension surrounding the administration’s approach to governance and justice. The outcome of El-Rufai’s case could have lasting implications for how political figures are treated in Nigeria’s legal and political landscape.
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