Former Kaduna State Governor, Malam Nasir El-Rufai, on Wednesday alleged that he could be arrested by the Federal Government, claiming that recent events suggest he may be the next target in what he described as a widening crackdown on opposition figures.
Speaking in an interview with BBC Hausa, El-Rufai said the arrest of some of his former associates in Kaduna had heightened his concerns.
“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.
Although he confirmed that he had not been detained, the former governor suggested that the arrests signalled possible action against him.
El-Rufai recently defected from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to the African Democratic Congress (ADC), a move that has reshaped political alignments ahead of the 2027 elections.
He alleged that mounting pressure was being placed on politicians to either defect to the APC or remain within the ruling party, describing the current political atmosphere as one driven more by survival than conviction.
Rising Political Tensions
El-Rufai, who governed Kaduna State for eight years under the APC, has recently intensified his criticism of President Bola Tinubu’s administration and the party’s leadership.
His remarks come against the backdrop of the arrest and ongoing trial of former Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has accused Malami of offences including abuse of office and money laundering. The Department of State Services (DSS) later rearrested him over fresh allegations related to terrorism financing.
Malami, who also defected to the ADC and is reportedly eyeing the Kebbi State governorship seat in 2027, has denied the allegations, describing the charges as a “political witch-hunt” linked to his opposition stance.
Awaiting Official Response
As of the time of filing this report, neither the Federal Government nor the APC had issued an official response to El-Rufai’s claims.
The developments add a fresh layer of intrigue to Nigeria’s evolving political landscape, with attention now focused on how events may unfold in the coming months.
