February 11, (THEWILL) — Former Kaduna State Governor and African Democratic Congress (ADC) stalwart, Nasir El-Rufai, has raised the alarm over a potential arrest by Nigerian security operatives, following the detention of several of his close associates.
Speaking during a recent interview with the BBC Hausa Service, El-Rufai disclosed that while he has not yet been apprehended, four individuals he worked with during his tenure in Kaduna have already been taken into custody.
The former governor noted that about four people he worked with in Kaduna have been arrested, adding that it may only be a matter of time before they come for him as well.
El-Rufai’s concerns come in the wake of high-profile arrests in Nigeria, including that of former Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami.
Malami, who has declared his intention to run for the governorship of Kebbi State in the 2027 general elections on the platform of the ADC, was recently arraigned by the Department of State Services (DSS) on a five-count charge involving terrorism financing and illegal possession of firearms.
This followed a previous detention by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over allegations of money laundering and official misconduct. Malami and his son, Abdulaziz, have pleaded not guilty to the charges and remain in DSS custody.
Observers note that both Malami and El-Rufai are influential figures within an emerging opposition coalition that includes prominent leaders such as Peter Obi and Rotimi Amaechi.
The ADC has become a focal point for these figures ahead of the 2027 polls, leading to intensified discussions about political freedoms and the role of security agencies in the current climate.
Recent legal actions against El-Rufai’s circle include the ICPC arraignment of his associate, Amadu Sule, over an alleged ₦311 billion money laundering scheme, and the earlier detention of his former Chief of Staff, Bashir Sa’idu. El-Rufai has consistently described these moves as politically motivated “unjustified incarceration” aimed at silencing opposition voices.
As the political landscape shifts toward the next general election, the treatment of these high-profile figures continues to draw scrutiny from both domestic and international human rights groups.
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