The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has accused President Bola Tinubu of steering Nigeria toward authoritarian rule, citing the prolonged detention of former Kaduna State governor Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai as evidence of a “drift toward dictatorship.”
The party expressed concern that El-Rufai has been held by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) for over 30 days without being charged or brought to court, raising fears of political intimidation and abuse of power ahead of the 2027 elections.
In a statement on Wednesday, ADC National Publicity Secretary Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi said, “The continued violation of the fundamental rights of Mallam Nasiru El-Rufai is a stain on the conscience of our democracy and a dangerous descent into lawlessness by the Bola Tinubu-led government.
“Thirty-two days ago, El-Rufai honoured an invitation by the EFCC in good faith. Two days after his release, he was taken again by the ICPC. Today, more than 30 days later, he remains in custody without arraignment, without formal charges, and under conditions that, by his own account, include restrictions from his family and doctor, as well as coercion to abandon his political rights and associations as the price for his freedom.
“This is not law enforcement. This is the weaponisation of state institutions against political participation. It is illegal. It is unconstitutional. It is an affront to the very idea of Nigeria as a democratic country. Freedom is a right guaranteed by the Constitution, not a privilege granted at the pleasure of the executive.”
The ADC challenged President Tinubu directly: “If the President intends to govern as though the Constitution is optional, he must say so openly. But if he claims allegiance to the rule of law, he must prove it in action.”
The party demanded immediate compliance with the Constitution from all relevant state actors, including the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, the ICPC leadership, and other agencies involved.
Abdullahi added that the case concerns all Nigerians, not just one individual: “Today it is El-Rufai; tomorrow, it could be anyone the president sees as a threat to his 2027 agenda. We demand the immediate release of Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, or his immediate arraignment before a competent court—nothing more, nothing less. That is the law.”
The ADC warned that if the situation does not change, it may escalate the matter beyond Nigeria, highlighting what it described as a deeper threat to the country’s democracy.
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