In order to defeat President Bola Tinubu in the general elections of 2027, opposition leaders have been urged by former Kaduna State governor Nasir El-Rufai to stay unified and committed.
Following an alleged effort by security personnel to detain him at an airport, El-Rufai made the statement during a visit from former Vice President Atiku Abubakar.
The incident, according to El-Rufai, had made him more determined to oppose the current government.
He claims, “What transpired today has strengthened my resolve.” Until we remove this government from office in March 2027, we must continue to work nonstop.
The airport event, he said, was regrettable, needless, and possibly illegal.
According to him, he was detained by the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC) without a formal invitation, using Department of State Services (DSS) agents.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had already asked him to be questioned, El-Rufai clarified. But he claimed to have been abroad at the time. Additionally, he stated that his attorney had notified the commission that he would be returning to their office on Monday at 10:00 a.m.
Before the incident at the airport, he maintained that he had never received a letter or message from the ICPC.
“I would have fulfilled my request for a letter of invitation,” he stated.
The former governor further claimed that Nuhu Ribadu, the National Security Advisor, gave the ICPC instructions. Security services are being used by the government for political ends, he claimed.
He claims that a government that is afraid of losing reelection is using security institutions as instrument of partisan politics.
Such measures could erode democratic institutions and the rule of law, he cautioned.
According to El-Rufai, he is prepared to accept any legitimate invitation from anti-corruption organizations, but he insisted that due process be observed.
