ADC Alleges Intimidation as ICPC Denies Party Leaders Access to El-Rufai
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has accused the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) of obstructing access to former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, who is currently in the custody of the anti-corruption agency.
In a statement issued on Friday by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, the ADC said a delegation comprising former Osun State Governor and ADC National Secretary, Rauf Aregbesola, alongside Mallam Salihu Lukman, visited the ICPC headquarters in Abuja to see El-Rufai but were denied access despite prior communication with the Commission.
According to the party, the atmosphere at the ICPC headquarters became tense after three truckloads of armed police officers reportedly arrived while the delegation awaited a response to its request.
The ADC described the deployment as unnecessary and alleged that it was aimed at intimidating opposition figures and discouraging public scrutiny of El-Rufai’s detention.
The party also referenced allegations by El-Rufai’s wife, Hajiya Asia El-Rufai, who had earlier claimed that her husband was denied access to medical care and that attempts to deliver food to him in custody were blocked.
While the ICPC has denied the allegations, the ADC insisted that continued restrictions on access were raising concerns about the treatment of the former governor.
The opposition party maintained that El-Rufai voluntarily submitted himself to authorities and should be granted access to his family, lawyers, doctors, and political associates in line with constitutional provisions.
ADC warned that any further denial of access would strengthen public perception that state institutions are being used to target opposition voices.
The party called on the ICPC to immediately allow unrestricted visitation rights to El-Rufai, stressing that “Nigeria and the world are watching.”
