“It’s Only a Matter of Time Before They Arrest Me” — El-Rufai
Former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, has raised alarm over his alleged imminent arrest by the Federal Government, asserting that recent developments indicate he may be the next target. Speaking during an interview with BBC Hausa on Wednesday, El-Rufai expressed concerns about what he called growing political intimidation directed at opposition figures, especially those critical of the current administration.
El-Rufai, who recently defected from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to the African Democratic Congress (ADC), explained that the arrests of some of his close associates in Kaduna are indicative of a possible crackdown on him as well. “Four people we worked with in Kaduna have been arrested; so it’s only a matter of time before they come for me too,” El-Rufai said, underscoring the tense political climate.
The former governor emphasized that while he had not yet been arrested, he suspected that the detention of his associates signaled that authorities might be preparing to target him next. He also claimed that political pressure was being exerted on politicians to either defect to the APC or remain within the ruling party, suggesting that many political decisions were now being made not out of conviction, but out of survival.
El-Rufai, who served as governor of Kaduna State for eight years under the APC, has increasingly criticized President Bola Tinubu’s administration and the direction in which the party is headed. His comments came amid the arrest and ongoing trial of former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami. Malami, who had also defected from the APC to the ADC, has been accused by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) of money laundering and abuse of office. More recently, he was rearrested in connection with fresh allegations related to terrorism financing.
In his statement, El-Rufai suggested that the charges against Malami were politically motivated, calling them a “political witch-hunt” in retaliation for Malami’s defection and his opposition to the government. The Federal Government and the APC have not responded to El-Rufai’s claims as of the time of filing this report.
The increasing tension in Nigeria’s political scene, marked by defections and arrests of opposition figures, raises questions about the state of democracy and political freedom in the country. As the trial of Malami and the alleged political persecution of El-Rufai continue, observers are closely watching the developments for any sign of escalating authoritarian measures.