The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has accused the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of deliberately keeping former Kaduna State governor Nasir El-Rufai in detention until after the 2027 general elections.

Speaking during an interview with Channels Television on Thursday, ADC National Publicity Secretary Bolaji Abdullahi claimed the opposition believes the Federal Government has no intention of releasing El-Rufai before the elections despite the charges against him being bailable.

According to Abdullahi, the ADC is not opposed to the prosecution of anyone facing legitimate criminal charges. However, he argued that the continued detention of El-Rufai and what he described as stringent bail conditions suggest a deliberate attempt to keep the former governor in custody.

He alleged that the ruling party fears El-Rufai’s release would strengthen the opposition ahead of the 2027 elections.

Abdullahi also expressed concern over El-Rufai’s health, citing reports from his family that he recently received treatment at the National Hospital, Abuja, where doctors allegedly recommended close medical monitoring.

The ADC spokesperson said President Bola Tinubu would be held responsible if anything happened to the former Kaduna governor while in detention, describing El-Rufai as a “political prisoner”.

He further alleged that legal actions against opposition figures were aimed at limiting political competition ahead of the 2027 elections. Abdullahi criticised the government’s Renewed Hope Agenda, describing it as a slogan that had failed to address Nigeria’s pressing challenges.

He added that the formation of the ADC coalition reflected the opposition’s desire to pursue a different style of politics.

El-Rufai is currently facing charges of alleged financial misconduct during his time as Kaduna State governor in a case filed by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) at the Federal High Court.

He is also standing trial at the Federal High Court in Abuja over allegations of illegal wire-tapping in a case instituted by the Department of State Services (DSS).

The allegations by the ADC reflect the party’s position. No response from the APC or the Federal Government was included in the Channels Television report.