APC Accused of Plotting to Keep El-Rufai in Custody Until After 2027 Election as ADC Raises Fresh Political Alarm

APC has come under fresh political scrutiny after the African Democratic Congress (ADC) alleged that the ruling party intends to ensure former Kaduna State governor, Nasir El-Rufai, remains in custody until after the 2027 general election. The accusation, made during a televised interview by ADC National Publicity Secretary Bolaji Abdullahi, has injected a new layer of controversy into Nigeria’s already heated political atmosphere, with opposition figures questioning whether legal processes are being influenced by electoral calculations.

Political Allegations raised by ADC against APC

The APC was accused by the ADC of using prolonged detention as a political strategy aimed at weakening the opposition ahead of the next general election. Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today, Bolaji Abdullahi maintained that the opposition is not opposed to legitimate criminal investigations or prosecutions. However, he argued that where an accused person is charged with bailable offences but faces what he described as unrealistic bail conditions, concerns naturally arise about whether the objective is justice or prolonged incarceration. According to Abdullahi, the ADC believes the ruling party fears El-Rufai’s influence within the opposition and allegedly prefers that he remains out of active politics until after the 2027 polls.

Abdullahi further claimed that releasing El-Rufai before the election would significantly strengthen opposition political forces, arguing that the former Kaduna governor possesses both political experience and influence capable of reshaping alliances ahead of the presidential contest. He alleged that the opposition believes every available measure is being deployed to ensure El-Rufai remains in custody until after the election. As of the time of this report, the APC has not publicly responded to the specific allegation, and no official evidence has been presented by the ADC to substantiate the claim that such a political plan exists.

Legal Process and Wider Political Context

The APC allegation emerges against the backdrop of heightened political realignments as parties prepare for the 2027 elections. In recent months, opposition leaders have increasingly accused the federal government of selectively applying anti-corruption and criminal justice mechanisms against political rivals, while government officials have consistently rejected such accusations, insisting that law enforcement agencies and the judiciary operate independently. Nigerian courts retain the constitutional authority to determine bail applications based on legal considerations, and decisions are ultimately subject to judicial discretion rather than political directives.

El-Rufai, once regarded as one of the APC’s most influential political figures, has experienced a dramatic shift in his political fortunes following disagreements within the ruling party. His growing association with opposition political actors has intensified speculation about his potential role in efforts to challenge the APC in 2027. Political analysts note that allegations of politically motivated prosecutions have surfaced repeatedly across different administrations in Nigeria, underscoring longstanding public concerns about balancing accountability with the perception of impartial justice. Without verifiable evidence supporting the ADC’s claims, however, the allegation remains a political assertion rather than an established fact.

As political tensions continue to build ahead of the 2027 elections, APC and opposition parties are expected to intensify their public exchanges over issues of governance, justice, and democratic fairness. OGM News will continue monitoring official responses, court proceedings, and developments surrounding El-Rufai’s legal situation to provide readers with verified updates as the story evolves.