May 22, 2026
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) wishes to express its concern over the refusal of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to grant senior leaders of our party access to Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, former Governor of Kaduna State and a prominent leader of our party, who remains in the custody of the Commission.
Earlier today, alongside the National Secretary of our party, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, and the Secretary of the ADC Policy and Manifesto Committee, Mallam Salihu Lukman, we visited the headquarters of the ICPC in Abuja to see Mallam El-Rufai. Despite prior communication and formal requests, we were denied access without any reasonable explanation.
While we were at the premises awaiting a response to our request, the atmosphere suddenly became noticeably tense after no fewer than three truckloads of armed police officers arrived at the facility. The heavy deployment, which appeared entirely unnecessary and disproportionate to the peaceful presence of unarmed political leaders, created the unmistakable impression that the authorities feared that the mere presence of opposition leaders at the Commission could trigger public outrage.
It is deeply troubling that a simple request by senior party officials to visit a detained colleague was met, not with professionalism, but with a show of force more suited to the suppression of civil unrest. At no point did members of our delegation threaten disorder, incite confrontation, or mobilise supporters to the premises. Yet the response of the state suggested panic, fear, and an attempt to intimidate not only our party leaders, but also any Nigerian who may dare to question the treatment being meted out to opposition figures.
Such actions only reinforce growing public concern that state institutions are increasingly being used, not merely for law enforcement, but as instruments of political pressure and psychological intimidation against dissenting voices.
It is important to state that the National Secretary of the ADC had previously written officially to the Chairman of the ICPC, Dr. Musa Adamu Aliyu, requesting visitation rights to Mallam El-Rufai, especially in light of growing public concerns regarding his wellbeing and reports that he has faced repeated restrictions on access to family members and medical personnel.
Only days ago, Hajiya Asia El-Rufai publicly alleged that her husband was denied access to his doctor and that she was prevented from delivering food to him while in custody after arriving at the facility in the evening. Members of his family have similarly raised concerns that even court-ordered medical access was being frustrated through administrative obstruction and arbitrary protocols.
While the ICPC has publicly denied these allegations and insisted that access protocols were followed, the continued refusal to allow leaders of his political party to see him only deepens suspicion and raises further questions about the true nature of his detention.
Let it be clear: Mallam Nasir El-Rufai is not a fugitive. He voluntarily submitted himself to the authorities. Under the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, he is entitled to dignity, medical care, family access, and fair treatment under the law. What we are witnessing increasingly appears to be punishment by process, intimidation through isolation, and an attempt to break the spirit of a leading opposition figure.
The ADC will not stand by and watch one of its leaders subjected to this pattern of harassment and calculated humiliation. Nigeria is watching. The international community is watching. The world is watching.
We therefore demand that the ICPC immediately grant unrestricted access to Mallam El-Rufai by his family, doctors, lawyers, and leaders of his political party. Anything short of this will only reinforce public perception that state institutions are being weaponised against opposition voices.
I expected some of your decampee governors to stand their ground like Bala Mohammed. But they are a bunch of disappointing cowards.
All the Southern governors joining the APC are cowards. None of them mentioned any tangible reason for joining, other than “Renewed Hope.”
A hope renewed only in Seyi, Bola, Remi, Folashade, Wike, Akpabio, Alake, & the rest of the team. Nothing for their minions, those ones are less than unfortunate. They are peace offering, fitting only for lesser gods somewhere
Most Southern governors are blackmailed or pressured. But bcos some of them are crooks (with skeletons in the closet), they decided to sell their people for their selfish ambitions.
It’s all about themselves & not about their people. This current crop of Southern governors except (Abia, Oyo & Osun) are cowards, the worst kind since 1999.
Middle Belt governors are not left out. Those ones have been subservient since inception.
My own governor (Siminalayi Fubara) is neither here nor there. When I look at him, I cringe. He is the most "confused" since ‘99. Sometimes I wonder if my Rivers blood flows in his veins.
Rivers people are warriors. Because despite all the pressure from Abuja during their tenures; Rotimi Amaechi & Nyesom Wike stood their ground, & fought the good fight. So I expected more from Sim, but all I saw was fear, a wicked form of cowardice. People like us were ready to stand by him, but it was a waste of support.
Sim himself will jump ship at the sight of trouble. I saw everything, & I decided he wasn’t worth the effort. When you are cooking, you make sure the gas is enough. You cook the food with just the right amount of fire & condiments.
When I told you that Bola Tinubu is not fighting corruption, but weaponizing the EFCC against the Opposition, you thought I was politicking?
Has the EFCC arraigned any of the accused persons with Bola Tinubu? In fact, Yahaya Bello was recently given a presidential mandate for allegedly embezzling a whopping N80 billion.
$55 million can equip your medical emergency response unit countrywide, it can start a war.
Yahaya Bello even has the guts to vie for Kogi Senate seat in 2027. Bola Ahmed Tinubu is not fighting corruption, the man is running a Mafia State. A state run by crooks & scumbags.
A “one-party state” is a danger to moving forward. It threatens the demoCrazy you are managing. Nigeria must be saved from amateurs, men who don’t know any better.
HAPPY NEW YEAR. 🥳
Grassroots football, serious vision. 💚⚽️
We had the privilege of meeting Chairman Shehu Dikko, presenting our jerseys and discussing how Darazo Football Academy is building a pathway from village pitches to professional football.
#DarazoFA#NextGenTalent#NigerianFootball
Tomorrow at 10AM
Our young talents face Kano Pillars U19 in another important developmental fixture.
Every game is a lesson… every minute is growth.
Proud of the journey. 💚⚽
ATBU just inducted the "real engineers" into the engineering profession.
Not your regular engineers!
Congratulations, Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Bauchi Engineers🎊 🎓
I and millions of Nigerians stand with every word Kashim Shettima uttered at #UNGA80 with regard to Palestine, no regrets at all, the West can go to h*ll.
Are you ready for a pressing topic that concerns the youth in Northern Nigeria.?
Join us this Sunday on Re-North Initiative’s X Space to discuss the theme:
“Rethinking Youth Engagement in Politics and Leadership in Northern Nigeria.”
I will be joining as a Moderator.📍
Across the whole of Bauchi Central, there is no young man who supports the youth like Usman. I pray that Allah (SWT) blesses him with more health and wealth. May Allah have mercy on him and grant all his needs.
Allah ya dado dumbin nasarori Malam @Usman_Yau_78 Gunners namu 🤲🏾