The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has accused President Bola Tinubu’s administration of steering Nigeria toward authoritarian rule, citing the continued detention of former Kaduna State governor, Nasir El-Rufai.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, said El-Rufai’s prolonged stay in custody without trial raises serious constitutional and democratic concerns.
“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,” Abdullahi said.
He added, “Thirty-two days ago, the former governor honoured an invitation by the EFCC in good faith… Today, more than 30 days later, he remains in custody without arraignment, without formal charges.”
The ADC further alleged that the former governor is being pressured to abandon his political affiliations, describing the situation as “the weaponisation of state institutions against political participation.”
“Let us be clear: this is not law enforcement. It is illegal. It is unconstitutional. It is an affront to the very idea of Nigeria as a democratic country,” the party said.
Calling on the President to uphold the rule of law, Abdullahi stated, “If President Bola Tinubu intends to govern as though the Constitution is optional, then he owes Nigerians the honesty to say so openly… But if he still claims allegiance to the rule of law, then we challenge him to prove it in action.”
