Former Kaduna State Governor, Nasiru El-Rufai
Paul Ibe, media adviser to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, has criticised the continued detention of former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, alleging that security and anti-graft agencies are being deployed against opposition figures ahead of the 2027 general election.
In a statement shared on his social media platform on Friday, Ibe noted that El-Rufai had spent 200 days in detention as of September 4, 2026, insisting that the former governor deserves justice, due process and equal treatment under the law.
He argued that while El-Rufai was not seeking immunity from investigation, his prolonged detention had raised questions about fairness in the administration of justice.
“Two hundred days! That’s how long Mallam Nasir El-Rufai has spent in detention as at today 04 September 2026.”
“By the way, he is not asking for immunity from investigation. He is entitled to justice, due process and equal treatment under the law.”
Ibe questioned what he described as the differing treatment of opposition politicians and members of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
According to him, Nigerians are justified in asking why the law appears to be “so aggressive against opposition politicians and so accommodating to politicians in the ruling APC.”
He alleged that El-Rufai’s detention was politically motivated.
“El-Rufai is in detention, a political prisoner simply because he decided to chart a different political path as provided for in our constitution.”
Drawing a comparison, Ibe referenced former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello, who is currently facing prosecution by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
“Meanwhile, Yahaya Bello, facing an ongoing EFCC prosecution, remains politically active and has secured the APC’s senatorial ticket.”
While stressing that no individual should be above the law, he cautioned against using legal processes as political tools.
“Nobody should be above the law.”
“But neither should the law become a political weapon.”
The Atiku aide further alleged that institutions including the Nigeria Police Force, the EFCC, the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), and sections of the judiciary were being used to mount pressure on opposition leaders.
“The pattern is becoming increasingly difficult to ignore: police, EFCC, ICPC and other state institutions, including a rogue element of the judiciary have ‘Emilokanised’ into instruments of pressure against opposition figures as 2027 approaches.”
He challenged the APC to defend its record before Nigerians rather than suppress political opponents.
“If the APC believes Nigerians love its record of hunger, inflation, high fuel and electricity prices, high cost of living and crushing poverty, let it campaign on that record.”
“If Tinubu believes he deserves another mandate, let him earn it at the ballot box and not with a gun to the heads of the opposition leaders and the citizens they seek to govern.”
Ibe maintained that political parties should be allowed to compete freely, arguing that elections should be determined by voters rather than intimidation or prolonged legal battles.
“The opposition should be defeated by voters—not detained, intimidated or buried under endless litigation.”
He added that a government confident in its popularity should not be threatened by a vibrant opposition.
“A government that is confident in its popularity should not fear a strong opposition.”
Emphasising the importance of credible elections, Ibe warned that using state power to weaken political opponents could undermine Nigeria’s democratic system.
“Democracy is not simply about holding elections.”
“It is about ensuring that those elections are genuinely free and competitive.”
“Today, it is El-Rufai. Tomorrow, it could be anyone.”
“If state power is used to clear the political field before Nigerians get to vote, then the greatest casualty will not be the opposition. It will be Nigerian democracy.”
“2027 must be decided by THE PEOPLE—not by the machinery of government.”
