The African Democratic Congress has accused President Bola Ahmed Tinubu of steering the country toward authoritarianism, citing the prolonged detention of former Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai as evidence of a “drift toward dictatorship.”
According to the party, El-Rufai has been held by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission for over 30 days without arraignment or formal charges, raising concerns about political pressure and abuse of power ahead of the 2027 elections.
In a statement issued by Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, the ADC condemned the detention, describing it as a violation of fundamental rights and a dangerous assault on democratic norms. Abdullahi accused the government of using state institutions as tools to undermine political participation and warned that such actions are illegal, unconstitutional, and a threat to Nigeria’s democracy.
The party directly challenged President Tinubu to demonstrate his commitment to the rule of law, saying, “If the President still claims allegiance to the Constitution, then we challenge him to prove it in action.” The ADC also demanded immediate compliance by relevant state actors including the National Security Adviser, the ICPC leadership, and other agencies involved.
Abdullahi urged all Nigerians across party and religious lines to defend the Constitution, warning that what happens to El-Rufai could set a precedent affecting anyone perceived as a political threat. The party further stated that it may escalate the matter beyond Nigeria if the detention continues without legal resolution.
The ADC insisted that El-Rufai should either be released immediately or formally arraigned in court, stressing that this is not negotiable but a constitutional requirement.
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