ADC accuses ICPC of blocking party leaders from visiting El-Rufai in detention

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has accused federal authorities of using state institutions to intimidate opposition figures after senior party officials were reportedly prevented from visiting former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai at the headquarters of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) in Abuja.

A delegation of ADC leaders, including former Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola, the party’s National Publicity Secretary Bolaji Abdullahi, and policy committee secretary Salihu Lukman, arrived at the ICPC headquarters on Friday seeking access to El-Rufai.

According to the party, the officials had submitted formal requests ahead of the visit but were denied entry upon arrival.

In a statement issued after the incident, Abdullahi alleged that security around the facility was significantly increased shortly after the delegation arrived, with heavily armed police officers deployed to the premises.

He described the development as an attempt to intimidate opposition figures and suppress public scrutiny surrounding El-Rufai’s detention.

“The heavy deployment appeared unnecessary considering that the visitors were unarmed political leaders,” Abdullahi said, adding that the ADC viewed the situation as part of a broader pattern of political pressure against opposition voices.

El-Rufai has been in ICPC custody since February 2026 over allegations linked to the handling of funds connected to a light rail project initiated during his tenure as governor of Kaduna State. He is facing charges bordering on alleged corruption, abuse of office, and diversion of public funds before a Federal High Court in Abuja. The former governor has denied all allegations and pleaded not guilty.

The incident also follows recent complaints by members of El-Rufai’s family, who alleged that he had been denied access to personal medical care and food brought from home despite a court order permitting supervised medical evaluations.

The ICPC has previously denied claims of mistreatment, maintaining that approved visitors are allowed access during official visiting hours and that due process is being followed in the case.

The ADC, however, insisted that preventing party leaders and associates from seeing El-Rufai raises concerns about transparency and fairness in the handling of the matter.

Political observers say the dispute is likely to intensify tensions between the ruling establishment and opposition parties as political alignments ahead of the 2027 general elections continue to take shape.