Veteran journalist and former presidential spokesman, Reuben Abati, has weighed in on the ongoing legal troubles facing former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai, suggesting that political considerations may play a significant role in determining when the embattled politician regains his freedom.
Speaking during a television programme, Abati argued that authorities may be reluctant to release El-Rufai before upcoming elections due to his perceived influence within opposition politics and his capacity to shape political narratives ahead of the 2027 general elections. According to him, the former governor remains a highly influential political figure whose activities could affect the evolving political landscape.
El-Rufai has been at the centre of multiple legal and political controversies in recent months, including corruption-related allegations and cybercrime charges. His detention has generated sharp reactions from supporters and opposition figures, many of whom have described the situation as politically motivated.
Abati’s comments come amid growing calls for El-Rufai’s release. The African Democratic Congress (ADC), one of the opposition parties aligned against the ruling establishment, recently described the former governor as a “prisoner of conscience” and demanded his immediate freedom. The party argued that his continued detention has heightened concerns about political persecution and democratic freedoms.
While acknowledging that the courts remain the ultimate arbiters of the matter, Abati maintained that the political significance of El-Rufai’s case cannot be ignored. He suggested that those handling the case may consider the broader electoral consequences before making decisions that could alter the balance of political forces ahead of major elections.
The former Kaduna governor, a key figure in northern Nigerian politics and a former ally of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has in recent months emerged as a vocal critic of the current administration and has aligned himself with opposition coalition efforts ahead of the 2027 polls.
As legal proceedings continue, attention remains focused on whether the courts will grant El-Rufai bail or whether his detention will persist as political tensions build toward the next round of major elections.
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