Former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, has claimed that he could soon be arrested by the Federal Government, citing what he described as increasing political pressure on opposition figures.
El-Rufai made the allegation on Wednesday during an interview with BBC Hausa, where he voiced concerns about what he sees as a growing pattern of intimidation targeting politicians who have fallen out with the ruling party.
According to him, several of his former associates in Kaduna have already been taken into custody.
“Four people we worked with in Kaduna have been arrested; so it’s only a matter of time before they come for me too,” he said.
While noting that he has not been arrested, the former governor suggested that the detention of his allies signals that he could be next.
El-Rufai, who recently defected from the All Progressives Congress (APC) to the African Democratic Congress (ADC), further alleged that politicians are being pressured to either remain in or defect to the ruling party.
He argued that the current political atmosphere is forcing many politicians to act out of political survival rather than personal conviction.
In recent months, El-Rufai has become increasingly critical of President Bola Tinubu’s administration and the leadership of the APC, a party under which he served two terms as Kaduna State governor.
Context of Ongoing Investigations
His remarks come amid the arrest and trial of former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had accused Malami of offences including abuse of office and money laundering. He was later rearrested over additional allegations said to involve terrorism financing.
Malami, who is also reported to have defected from the APC to the ADC, has denied all allegations, describing the charges as politically motivated and linked to his defection and opposition stance.
As of the time this report was filed, neither the Federal Government nor the APC had issued an official response to El-Rufai’s claims.
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