Atiku Abubakar Condemns El-Rufai's Detention as Cruelty

Atiku Abubakar, the former Vice President and presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), condemned the federal government's ongoing detention of Nasir El-Rufai, a notable opposition figure and former two-term governor of Kaduna State. Abubakar characterized the government's actions as state-sponsored cruelty, highlighting that El-Rufai has been detained for three months despite a court order granting him bail.

He emphasized the denial of El-Rufai's rights, including the inability to celebrate significant religious holidays with his family and the distressing circumstances surrounding his mother's passing. Abubakar's remarks were made during an acceptance speech following his victory in the ADC presidential primary on Wednesday night.

He criticized the government's harassment and intimidation of opposition politicians, particularly those who have joined the APC, and called for an end to such abuses of power. His comments came as he prepares to challenge incumbent Bola Tinubu in the upcoming 2027 general elections.