Atiku’s camp kicks as El-Rufai spends 200 days in detention

The camp of the African Democratic Congress presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, has expressed strong opposition to the ongoing detention of former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai. El-Rufai has been held in custody for an extended period, 200 days, since his arrest by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).

Atiku's media representative, Paul Ibe, emphasized that El-Rufai is entitled to justice, due process, and equal treatment under the law. He further labeled El-Rufai as a political prisoner, accusing him of being detained solely due to his decision to pursue a different political path, as outlined in Nigeria's Constitution. Paul Ibe highlighted that former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, despite being under investigation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), remains politically active and has secured the senatorial ticket for the All Progressives Congress (APC). This scenario, according to Ibe, sends a clear message that no one should be exempt from the law.

The statement further questioned the apparent bias in the application of the law, noting that opposition politicians face aggressive scrutiny, while ruling party members seem to enjoy leniency. The author pointed out a concerning trend where state bodies, including the police, EFCC, ICPC, and even certain judiciary branches, have become instruments for applying pressure on opposition figures as the 2027 elections approach.

Ibe warned that if the APC believes its current record of economic challenges will secure another mandate, it should campaign on that fact rather than resorting to dubious means. He urged Tinubu to earn a second term through the democratic process instead of using intimidation and prolonged legal battles against opposition leaders and citizens.

The opposition, Ibe argued, should be defeated by the electorate, not through detention or intimidation.

Atiku's camp remains steadfast in its stance that genuine democracy involves more than just holding elections; it demands free, competitive, and fair elections. The statement concludes by cautioning that if state power is used to clear the political field before the citizens vote, the greatest loss will not be the opposition but the very essence of Nigerian democracy.