The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has condemned what it described as politically motivated attempts to prosecute former Kaduna State governor Nasir El-Rufai and former Attorney-General of the Federation Abubakar Malami, warning that opposition figures will not be cowed ahead of the 2027 elections.
Hajiya Hassana Shuaibu Dada, the ADC Assistant National Youth Leader (North Central), said the alleged moves by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to target the two former officials amounted to selective prosecution aimed at silencing dissenting voices.
She argued that anti-corruption agencies were increasingly being used as political tools against perceived opponents of the ruling establishment, insisting that the ADC and other opposition actors would resist intimidation.
“The ADC strongly condemns the politically driven, selective prosecutions targeting Mallam Nasir El-Rufai and Abubakar Malami. Such actions will not intimidate or silence opposition voices determined to offer Nigerians credible alternatives,” Dada said.
Her remarks come amid lingering controversies surrounding both men after leaving office.
El-Rufai has faced sustained scrutiny following a Kaduna State House of Assembly probe that alleged mismanagement of loans and contract awards during his administration. The former governor has rejected the findings, describing them as politically motivated and legally flawed.
Malami, who served as Attorney-General under former President Muhammadu Buhari, has also been linked in public petitions and civil society allegations calling for investigation into financial dealings and contracts associated with his home state, Kebbi. He has repeatedly denied wrongdoing and accused political adversaries of orchestrating a witch-hunt.
Although no fresh formal charges against either figure have been publicly confirmed by the EFCC, opposition actors have cited the growing calls for investigation and prosecution as evidence of what they see as a pattern of pressure on figures critical of the ruling order ahead of the next election cycle.
Dada said the ADC viewed the developments as part of a broader attempt to weaken emerging opposition alignments, particularly as political realignments intensify toward 2027.
She maintained that the party remained committed to democratic competition and would continue to defend its members and allies against what it termed “state-backed harassment.”
The EFCC has consistently maintained in similar cases that its investigations are driven by petitions and evidence rather than politics, stressing that former public officials across party lines are subject to scrutiny under anti-corruption laws.
The commission had not issued a specific response to Dada’s statement as of press time.
Abuja Network News
