Former Kaduna Governor El-Rufai Alleges Political Detention Bid, Urges Opposition Unity for 2027
Former Kaduna State governor Nasir El-Rufai has alleged that security agents attempted to detain him unlawfully at an airport, an incident he says has hardened his resolve to oppose President Bola Tinubu’s administration. The episode has prompted him to call for greater cohesion among opposition leaders ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The incident occurred on Tuesday when El-Rufai, a prominent figure in the opposition, was approached by operatives reportedly from the Department of State Services (DSS) at the airport. He stated the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC) had directed the action but had not first issued him a formal written invitation.
El-Rufai said the experience reinforced his determination. “What happened today has made me more determined. We must keep working and not rest until March 2027 when we remove this government from office,” he remarked following a visit from former Vice President Atiku Abubakar.
El-Rufai detailed his side of the encounter, asserting he was compliant with a prior invitation from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). He explained his lawyer had communicated his unavailability due to foreign travel and scheduled his appearance for Monday at 10 am. He claimed no correspondence was ever received from the ICPC regarding the airport incident.
“All I asked for was a letter of invitation, and I would have honoured it,” El-Rufai said. He went further to allege the ICPC acted on directives from National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu, accusing the federal government of weaponising security agencies for political ends against perceived opponents. He warned that such tactics erode democratic institutions and the rule of law, suggesting the government fears electoral defeat.
El-Rufai maintained he will respond to any lawful, properly served invitations but stressed that due process must be observed. His comments underscore escalating political tensions as Nigeria’s opposition attempts to consolidate ahead of the 2027 polls. The former governor’s influence in northern Nigeria and his vocal criticism of the Tinubu administration position him as a key opposition strategist. This confrontation highlights the fragile state of political discourse and the frequent clash between anti-corruption agencies and political figures, a dynamic that will likely shape the pre-election landscape.
