El-Rufai Has Spent 200 Days In Custody” — Atiku Camp Raises Alarm

The camp of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has criticised the continued detention of former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, alleging that he has spent 200 days in the custody of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).

According to Ireporter Online, Atiku’s media aide, Paul Ibe, made the remarks in a statement issued on Friday, September 4, 2026, insisting that El-Rufai was not seeking immunity from investigation but deserved due process and equal treatment under the law.

Ibe described the former governor as a political prisoner and alleged that his prolonged detention was linked to his decision to pursue a political direction outside the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

“Two hundred days! That’s how long Mallam Nasir El-Rufai has spent in detention as at today, 04 September 2026,” Ibe said, adding that El-Rufai was entitled to justice, due process and equal treatment under the law.

The former vice president’s aide also questioned what he described as unequal treatment of opposition politicians compared with members of the ruling party.

Ibe cited former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, who is facing prosecution by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), as an example of what he considered a contrasting approach. He noted that Bello remains politically active and had secured the APC senatorial ticket.

While stressing that nobody should be above the law, Ibe argued that the law must be applied fairly and consistently.

He further alleged that security and anti-corruption agencies, including the police, EFCC and ICPC, were being used to mount pressure on opposition politicians ahead of the 2027 general elections. He also accused some elements within the judiciary of contributing to what he described as a political clampdown.

Ibe challenged the APC to campaign on the performance of the current administration if the party was confident of securing the support of Nigerians.

He also urged President Bola Tinubu to seek another term based on his administration’s record and allow Nigerians to determine his fate through the ballot box.

According to Ibe, political opponents should be defeated through elections rather than arrests, intimidation or prolonged legal battles.

He maintained that a government confident in its popularity should have no reason to fear a strong opposition, stressing that democracy involves more than merely conducting elections.

Ibe warned that the continued detention of opposition figures could have serious implications for Nigeria’s democratic development, arguing that the use of state power to weaken political opponents ahead of elections could ultimately hurt the country’s democracy.

The comments come amid growing political activity ahead of the 2027 elections, with opposition figures and their supporters increasingly scrutinising the actions of law enforcement and anti-corruption agencies.