Former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai has described himself as a target of political persecution, alleging that ongoing investigations into his tenure are linked to his membership of the African Democratic Congress.
El-Rufai made the claim in written statements submitted last month while in the custody of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, which is probing multiple corruption allegations connected to his administration between 2015 and 2023.
In the statements, the former governor reportedly argued that the investigation was politically motivated, insisting that his association with the ADC—after defecting from the ruling party—was the real reason behind the scrutiny.
He described the ADC as the “only surviving opposition political party” in the country.
El-Rufai left the All Progressives Congress last year following a political rift with President Bola Tinubu, which deepened after his failed ministerial nomination in 2023.
Aside from the ICPC investigation, he is also facing prosecution by the State Security Service over allegations of illegally tapping a phone conversation belonging to the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu.
The documents containing his statements were attached to the ICPC’s counter-affidavit opposing a ₦1 billion fundamental rights enforcement suit he filed at the Federal High Court in Abuja.
The suit challenges the legality of a February 5 search conducted by ICPC operatives, with police support, at his Abuja residence.
In his first statement, El-Rufai confirmed that a cautionary statement was read to him and outlined his educational and professional background, including his past roles as Director-General of the Bureau of Public Enterprises, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, and two-term governor of Kaduna State.
He informed investigators that, on the advice of his counsel, Ubong Akpan, he had chosen to exercise his constitutional right to remain silent and would only respond to the allegations when formally presented before a competent court.
In a subsequent statement dated February 20, he reaffirmed his position, maintaining that he would not answer further questions or address additional documents outside judicial proceedings.
El-Rufai has remained in ICPC custody since February 19, following his release from several days of detention by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission after he honoured an invitation on February 16.
