Former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai has accused anti-graft agencies of targeting him because of his defection to the African Democratic Congress (ADC), which he described as “the only surviving opposition political party in Nigeria.”
The claim was contained in two written statements El-Rufai submitted last month while in the custody of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), which is investigating multiple corruption allegations tied to his eight-year tenure as Kaduna governor (2015–2023).
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The statements form part of documents attached to ICPC’s counter-affidavit opposing El-Rufai’s ₦1 billion fundamental rights enforcement suit filed at the Federal High Court in Abuja. The suit challenges the legality of an ICPC-led search of his Abuja residence on February 5, 2026.
In the first statement, El-Rufai provided his personal and professional background including his education, roles as Director-General of the Bureau of Public Enterprises, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory under President Olusegun Obasanjo, and two-term governor before directly addressing the probe.
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He wrote: “I am a leading member of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), which I believe is the only surviving opposition political party in Nigeria. This, in my view, is the real reason behind this investigation.”
El-Rufai said he had, on the advice of his counsel Ubong Akpan, chosen to exercise his constitutional right to silence and would not answer questions or respond to documents until the allegations are formally presented before a competent court of law.
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In a second statement dated February 20, 2026, he reiterated his position, stating he would maintain silence regarding all additional materials and questions.
Legal & Political Context El-Rufai defected from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to the ADC last year following a public fallout with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, which deepened after his ministerial nomination was rejected in 2023.
El-Rufai has remained in ICPC custody since February 19, 2026, after being transferred from EFCC detention. He voluntarily reported to the EFCC on February 16 following earlier attempts by security agents to arrest him at Abuja airport upon his return from abroad.
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His legal team has described all the cases as politically motivated attempts to silence his criticism of the current administration ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The Federal High Court has fixed further proceedings in the fundamental rights suit for a later date after multiple reassignments and adjournments.
DDNewsOnline – Lagos
By Ogungbayi Beedee Adeyemi
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