According to a report by Daily Post, on Sunday, May 17, 2026, Timi Frank, a former deputy spokesperson of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has called for the immediate release of former Kaduna State governor, Nasir El-Rufai, alongside other opposition-linked individuals, including businessman Tony Ayeni.
He made the appeal through a public statement released on Sunday, where he also raised serious concerns about what he described as alleged threats to the life of El-Rufai while in detention.
Frank alleged that there were growing fears surrounding the continued detention of the former governor by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), where El-Rufai is being held over allegations connected to corruption during his tenure as governor of Kaduna State.
According to him, the situation has gone beyond a routine investigation, suggesting that there may be hidden motives behind the prolonged custody.
He further claimed that El-Rufai’s family had, over the weekend, accused the anti-graft agency of denying the former governor access to adequate food and necessary medical care while in detention.
These allegations, according to Frank, raise questions about the treatment being meted out to the former governor and whether due process is being properly followed.
Reacting further, Frank insisted that certain senior officials within President Bola Tinubu’s administration were allegedly working behind the scenes with intentions to harm El-Rufai.
He said his position was informed by what he described as information obtained from unnamed but reliable security sources.
He cautioned that if anything happens to El-Rufai after his release or during his continued detention, it could trigger serious political and national concerns.
Frank also expressed worry over what he described as the involvement of some judicial officers in ensuring prolonged detention through what he called restrictive bail conditions, which he argued may be deliberately designed to frustrate the accused persons’ chances of gaining freedom.
“I received a troubling call from a reliable source within the security agencies alleging that there are plots to eliminate Nasir El-Rufai. a strategic plan allegedly orchestrated by top appointees within the government and the presidency,” Frank stated.
He extended his concerns to include businessman Tony Ayeni, alleging that Ayeni is being subjected to persecution by the current administration due to perceived political sympathy and alignment with opposition interests.
Frank argued that Ayeni had previously been discharged in cases filed against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), suggesting that his continued targeting may not be purely legal but politically motivated.
He maintained that the situation reflects a broader pattern of political tension and misuse of state institutions against perceived opponents, urging authorities to ensure fairness, justice, and respect for human rights in handling such sensitive matters….See More
