El-Rufai Claims Persecution Over Opposition Role

Nasir El-Rufai, the former governor of Kaduna State, has branded the ongoing corruption probe against him a “political witch-hunt” triggered by his membership in the opposition African Democratic Congress (ADC). In written statements submitted to the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) last month, El-Rufai alleged that his investigation is a direct consequence of his defection from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). He described the ADC as Nigeria’s “only surviving opposition party,” framing his detention as a state-led effort to stifle dissent.

The former governor’s fallout with President Bola Tinubu, which began with his failed ministerial confirmation in 2023, has evolved into a multi-agency legal offensive. Beyond the ICPC’s probe into his eight-year tenure in Kaduna, El-Rufai faces separate prosecution by the State Security Service (SSS) for allegedly wiretapping the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu. These documents surfaced as the ICPC filed a counter-affidavit to oppose El-Rufai’s ₦1 billion suit, which challenges the legality of a February raid on his Abuja residence.

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In a show of legal defiance, El-Rufai has invoked his constitutional right to silence throughout his interrogations. He has refused to answer questions regarding loans, procurement irregularities, or government transfers, insisting that the ICPC present its evidence before a competent court. His counsel, Ubong Akpan, has advised that only a judicial process, not an administrative detention, can determine if the proceedings constitute lawful prosecution or mere political persecution. El-Rufai reportedly told investigators, “Charge me if you have anything.”

The former governor’s detention history has become increasingly convoluted over the past month. He has been in ICPC custody since February 19, immediately following his release from a separate detention by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). This “revolving door” of custody has drawn sharp criticism from his supporters, who view the continuous detention without formal charges as an abuse of state power. His legal team is currently pushing for an expedited hearing of his fundamental rights suit.

El-Rufai’s Legal Entanglements (February 2026)

Politically, El-Rufai’s move to the ADC has signaled his intent to build a new coalition ahead of the 2027 elections. By positioning himself as the face of the “true opposition,” he is attempting to consolidate support from Nigerians disillusioned with both the APC and the fractured PDP. However, the government insists that the investigations are strictly focused on recovering state resources and are not influenced by his political affiliations.

For the ICPC, the challenge remains moving the case from interrogation rooms to the courtroom. While the agency maintains it has “mountainous evidence” of financial misconduct, El-Rufai’s refusal to speak forces the prosecution to build its case entirely on documentary evidence. As the ₦1 billion suit heads to the Federal High Court in Abuja, the outcome will likely define the boundaries of executive power and the rights of high-profile political figures in the Tinubu era.