Oladimeji Fabiyi, Deputy National Financial Secretary of the African Democratic Congress, has condemned the Federal Government for keeping former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai in custody, describing it as a politically motivated act.
Fabiyi said the presidency is acting out of fear, targeting opposition leaders while ignoring alleged corruption among members of the ruling All Progressives Congress.
“President Bola Tinubu appears to have recognized the depth and strength of Mallam Nasir El-Rufai’s influence and political standing. This realization seems to have prompted the unleashing of Nigeria’s three major anti-graft and security agencies—EFCC, DSS, and ICPC—against him in what looks like a coordinated onslaught,” Fabiyi said in a statement on Thursday.
He added, “As things stand today, El-Rufai has effectively become a political prisoner of war. The pattern of action speaks volumes about the kind of country we are becoming.”
El-Rufai, who responded to an EFCC invitation on February 16, 2025, has remained in custody despite being granted bail, as he was immediately re-arrested by the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission. On Wednesday, the Department of State Services failed to arraign him over allegations of illegally tapping the National Security Adviser’s phone, leading to a court adjournment to April 23.
Fabiyi contrasted the treatment of opposition leaders with ruling APC members, citing a previous statement by Adams Oshiomhole that joining the APC absolves alleged past corruption.
