The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has characterized the prolonged detention of former Kaduna State governor, Mallam Nasiru El-Rufai, as a serious infringement on fundamental human rights, emphasizing plans to alert Amnesty International and other human rights organizations.
Mallam El-Rufai, who previously served as the Federal Capital Territory's Minister and is now a prominent member of the ADC, has been in custody for more than 30 days.
In response to this situation, the ADC released a statement denouncing the detention as both illegal and unconstitutional, alleging that there have been efforts to force El-Rufai to renounce his political beliefs. They urged the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to respect the rule of law by releasing El-Rufai immediately so he can prepare his defense.
The statement, which was authored by Bolaji Abdullahi, the party’s National Publicity Secretary, remarked that the indefinite detention of a citizen signifies dictatorship and has no place in a democracy. The ADC pledged to escalate their appeals to international human rights bodies if El-Rufai is not released without delay.
Furthermore, the ADC condemned the ongoing violation of El-Rufai's rights as a troubling mark on the conscience of Nigeria's democracy and a troubling trend of lawlessness under the current government led by Bola Tinubu.
The statement pointed out that El-Rufai accepted an invitation from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in good faith 32 days ago, depicting his law-abiding nature. However, just two days after his initial release, he was taken back into custody by the ICPC. Now, over 30 days later, he remains without formal charges, facing conditions that reportedly include family and medical restrictions, as well as pressure to abandon his political rights and affiliations in exchange for freedom.
The ADC stressed, "This is not law enforcement but a misuse of state resources to stifle political engagement. It is unlawful, unconstitutional, and undermines the very essence of Nigeria as a democratic state."
They further stated, "Freedom is not a privilege that can be revoked at the discretion of the ruling administration; it is a constitutional right. The rights to liberty, fair trials, and political involvement are absolute and non-negotiable, and should not be compromised in hushed dialogues driven by threats from agencies responding to President Tinubu and his associates."
"Let us be clear, a regime that detains individuals without charges, intimidates without substantiating evidence, and demands silence in lieu of freedom, does not function as a democratic administration—it behaves as something entirely different."
The ADC reiterated that if President Bola Tinubu is to govern as if the Constitution is an afterthought, he must clearly communicate this to Nigerians.
“He needs to explicitly announce that democratic protocols are no longer in play. If that is the direction he has chosen, it must be recognized by citizens, institutions, the international community, and the opposition that what we face is not democracy, but a cloaked dictatorship.
“Conversely, if President Tinubu claims to follow the rule of law, we challenge him to substantiate that claim through his actions. The ADC demands that all relevant state officials, including National Security Adviser Mallam Nuhu Ribadu and ICPC leaders, adhere to the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“The ICPC, tasked with combating corruption and reinforcing public trust, must not turn into an apparatus for political oppression or a pawn in partisan grievances. Nigeria did not strive for democracy only to relinquish it quietly through intimidation, silence, or biased justice.
“As a party committed to legality, the ADC calls upon all Nigerians, regardless of their political affiliations, states, or religious beliefs, to stand up for the Constitution. Today it's El-Rufai, and tomorrow it could be anyone whom the president perceives as a threat to his 2027 goals. The degradation of rights typically begins with one individual, expanding where silence prevails.
“We demand the prompt release of Mallam Nasir El-Rufai or his swift arraignment in an appropriate court of law. Anything less is unacceptable. This is the law. Moreover, if this is the nature of democracy that the government seeks from the Nigerian populace, then the question must arise—what will happen to the rule of law and human rights when the Tinubu administration no longer requires their votes?
“It is both ironic and tragic that a president who once claimed to be a true democrat and who contended against military rule, now oversees situations resembling the very violations that his contemporaries, like NADECO, fought against.
Comments (0)
You must be logged in to comment.
Be the first to comment on this article!