Nigeria Political Tensions Rise After Detention of Government Critic
Political tensions in Nigeria are escalating following the detention of a prominent opposition figure for questioning by the country’s anti-corruption agency. Nasir El-Rufai, a former governor of Kaduna state and outspoken critic of President Bola Tinubu, appeared voluntarily before the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Tuesday after being summoned.
EFCC spokesman Dele Oyewale confirmed El-Rufai’s appearance, stating simply: “He was invited and he honored the invitation. He is being interviewed now.”
The Allegations
Local media reports indicate that El-Rufai is being questioned about the alleged misuse of 432 billion naira ($319 million) during his tenure as governor of Kaduna from 2015 to 2023. The former governor has not yet commented on the specifics of these allegations.
But the timing and context have raised questions. El-Rufai’s detention follows a series of public statements critical of the Tinubu administration, including a television interview in which he claimed to have intercepted phone calls from the president’s national security adviser, Nuhu Ribadu.
A Pattern of Accusations
During his Friday appearance on Arise News, El-Rufai accused Ribadu of using security services as “personal tools.” He also claimed that the State Security Service (DSS) had tried to arrest him at Abuja airport the day before, but he refused to go with them.
“The anti-corruption commission procured the DSS to abduct me for them,” El-Rufai said. “This is their modus operandi. They are personal tools of Nuhu Ribadu.”
At the weekend, he escalated further, posting a letter on X addressed to Ribadu demanding an explanation for an alleged delivery of 10 kilograms of thallium sulfate—a highly toxic chemical. The implications of the accusation were left unstated but clearly intended to raise alarm.
Political Context
El-Rufai recently declared that he is still considering whether to challenge Tinubu in the 2027 presidential election. His detention, coming amid an escalating war of words with the administration, will inevitably be viewed through a political lens by his supporters and opponents alike.
He is not alone in facing legal proceedings. Another senior member of El-Rufai’s opposition African Democratic Congress party, former justice minister Abubakar Malami, is also facing legal action over allegations of terrorism and money-laundering.
The Broader Picture
Nigeria’s anti-corruption agencies have long faced accusations of selective enforcement—targeting government critics while overlooking allies of those in power. The EFCC and DSS maintain that they operate independently and pursue cases based on evidence, not political considerations.
But the convergence of legal action against prominent opposition figures, coming amid increasingly heated rhetoric about the 2027 election, raises concerns about the health of Nigeria’s democratic institutions. In a country where the line between law enforcement and political intimidation has sometimes blurred, each such case tests public confidence in the system.
What Comes Next
El-Rufai’s questioning continues. Whether it leads to formal charges, further investigation, or release without action will shape perceptions of the case’s legitimacy. His supporters are already framing the detention as politically motivated. The government will likely point to the serious nature of the financial allegations.
Beyond the immediate case, the broader question is whether Nigeria’s political conflicts can be resolved through institutions or whether they will increasingly play out through security services and courtrooms. The answer matters not only for El-Rufai and Tinubu but for the millions of Nigerians watching to see whether their democracy can handle disagreement without resorting to detention.
For now, a former governor sits in an anti-corruption office, answering questions. And a nation watches to see what happens next.
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