The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has demanded unfettered access to the former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, who is in the custody of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).
The party expressed concern over the ICPC’s refusal to allow ADC leaders to visit El-Rufai, despite prior formal requests.
In a statement issued on Friday, May 22, 2026, ADC National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, disclosed that a high-level delegation comprising the party’s National Secretary, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, and the Secretary of the ADC Policy and Manifesto Committee, Mallam Salihu Lukman, visited the ICPC headquarters to see El-Rufai.
“Despite prior communication and formal requests, we were denied access without any reasonable explanation,” Abdullahi said.
He added that the atmosphere at the commission became tense when three truckloads of armed police officers suddenly arrived at the facility while the delegation waited.
“The heavy deployment, which appeared entirely unnecessary and disproportionate to the peaceful presence of unarmed political leaders, created the unmistakable impression that the authorities feared that the mere presence of opposition leaders could trigger public outrage,” he stated.
Abdullahi described the response as “a show of force more suited to the suppression of civil unrest,” noting that at no point did ADC members threaten disorder or mobilise supporters.
He disclosed that party had earlier written officially to the ICPC Chairman seeking visitation rights for El-Rufai, citing growing public concerns about his wellbeing and reports of restricted access to family members and medical personnel.
“Let it be clear, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai is not a fugitive. He voluntarily submitted himself to the authorities.
“Under the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, he is entitled to dignity, medical care, family access, and fair treatment under the law,” Abdullahi noted.
The ADC warned that what is unfolding appears to be “punishment by process” and “intimidation through isolation” aimed at breaking the spirit of a prominent opposition figure.
The party demanded that the ICPC immediately grant unrestricted access to El-Rufai by his family, doctors, lawyers, and political party leaders.
“Anything short of this will only reinforce the public perception that state institutions are being weaponised against opposition voices,” Abdullahi added.
