Former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai has claimed that ongoing investigations and the arrests of his allies are politically motivated.
He has also accused unnamed officials of utilizing security agencies to intimidate opposition figures.
El-Rufai made the charges during an interview with Arise TV on Friday, where he criticized what he saw as illegal investigation procedures and human rights violations.
“In civilized countries, you don’t start an investigation by abducting a person or even arresting a person and keeping him while you’re investigating. It’s a violation of human rights,” he said.
The former governor emphasized that financial inquiries should be based on electronic records rather than physical custody.
“You do your investigation, okay? Financial records today are largely electronic. They can’t be hidden. You do your investigation; you get your records,” he added.
El-Rufai responded to accusations that investigators may already have evidence against him, saying, “They have done their investigation and found nothing.”
He insisted that he would accept legitimate invites from authorities, saying, “I will go to them. Charles, I’ve been around this system. I know what’s going on, even in those institutions. I have an idea what’s going on.”
When questioned if political reasons were involved, the former governor said, “Absolutely. Look, some of the professionals in this institution feel very bad that they are being compelled.”
He also alleged that some of his associates were told their cases were political after questioning.
“When some of my guys that have been invited or abducted face them, when they finish all the questions, they tell them, ‘Look, we’re sorry, but this is all political. Why don’t you guys go and settle with them?”
According to him, such a settlement entailed joining the ruling All Progressives Congress and supporting President Bola Tinubu’s second-term bid.
The interview comes amid rising political tensions following a reported attempt by security forces to detain El-Rufai at Abuja’s Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport when he returned from Cairo.
According to reports, armed personnel contacted him shortly after landing, but he refused to accompany them without an official invitation or warrant, resulting in a tense confrontation between supporters and airport users.
His legal team later accused operatives of attempting an unlawful arrest and snatching his passport, claiming that the actions violated his constitutional rights.
Security sources, however, reportedly stated that the encounter did not result in an arrest and that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission had no direct involvement in the airport event.
Political stakeholders have reacted to the development, with opposition leaders and parties expressing worries over suspected intimidation, while security forces have yet to provide specific public replies.
El-Rufai, who recently defected from the All Progressives Congress to the African Democratic Congress, ADC, has stepped up his criticism of the Federal Government in recent weeks, saying that the current political atmosphere might undermine democratic principles if due process is not followed.
