ADC Slams ‘Illegal’ Attempt to Arrest El-Rufai, Accuses Tinubu Govt of Selective Witch-Hunt Against Opposition

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has officially entered the fray following the airport drama involving former Kaduna Governor Nasir El-Rufai, describing the attempt to take him into custody as a “lawless ambush” that reeks of political desperation. In a strongly worded statement on Friday, the party warned that Nigeria is sliding toward a “normalization of political intimidation” under the current administration.

The party’s spokesperson, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, did not mince words, characterizing the Thursday night incident at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport as a “dangerous signal” to all dissenting voices. According to the ADC, the fact that security operatives attempted to whisk El-Rufai away without presenting a formal warrant proves that the “State of Harmony” in Nigeria’s democratic due process has been sacrificed for partisan warfare.

“What Nigerians witnessed at the airport was not a pursuit of justice, but a display of selective enforcement,” Abdullahi stated. “It is increasingly difficult to ignore the pattern where critics are hounded without warrants, while those facing massive corruption allegations are cleansed of their sins the moment they join the ruling APC. The law must never be weaponized against political opponents.”

The ADC further contended that the seizure of El-Rufai’s international passport during the confrontation was an “arbitrary act” intended to ground a key opposition figure. The party reminded security agencies that their loyalty belongs to the Constitution, not to a political party, and urged them to maintain neutrality to avoid total public distrust.

As El-Rufai prepares to voluntarily visit the EFCC this coming Monday, the ADC has put the Federal Government on notice. The party insists it will no longer stand by while its leaders are subjected to “procedural lapses” and “the shadow of selective law enforcement.” For the ADC, the battle for 2027 has clearly begun—and they are signaling that they will not be intimidated off the field.