The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has condemned the continued detention of former Kaduna State governor, Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai, describing it as a violation of fundamental human rights.
The party claimed that El-Rufai has been detained by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offenses Commission (ICPC) for more than 30 days without formal charges in a statement released by its National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi.
The party accused authorities of trying to force the former governor to renounce his political affiliations and declared the imprisonment to be unlawful and unconstitutional.
It demanded that El-Rufai be released right away by the ICPC or charged with a crime.
According to the statement, “detaining a citizen indefinitely is the hallmark of dictatorship and has no place in a democracy.”
The ADC claims that important fundamental rights, such as the right to liberty, a fair trial, and political participation, are compromised by the ongoing incarceration without arraignment.
According to the party, El-Rufai has been detained under circumstances that limit his access to his family and healthcare.
It further asserted that his incarceration was being utilized as a means of stifling political engagement.
“This isn’t the police. The party declared, “This is the weaponization of state institutions against political participation.”
If the issue is not resolved, the ADC threatened to petition Amnesty International and other international human rights organizations.
It said that what it called “selective justice” and “abuse of power” were undermining Nigeria’s democratic values.
Additionally, the party urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to show his dedication to the rule of law.
It demanded adherence to constitutional provisions from pertinent state actors, such as the ICPC leadership and National Security Advisor Nuhu Ribadu.
The ADC claims that organizations like the ICPC were created to combat corruption, not for political ends.
The party said that El-Rufai’s release or his arraignment before an appropriate court are the two legal choices.
“We demand that Mallam Nasir El-Rufai be released immediately or that he be arraigned in a court of competent jurisdiction right away. Nothing more. Nothing less, according to the statement.
The ADC also called on Nigerians to uphold democratic principles, cautioning that if rights are not protected, they may continue to deteriorate.
It further stated that maintaining Nigeria’s democracy still depends on protecting constitutional rights.
