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Former Kaduna State governor Nasir El-Rufai has called on opposition leaders to remain united and focused on removing President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 general elections.
El-Rufai made the remark when former Vice President Atiku Abubakar visited him after security agents allegedly attempted to detain him at an airport.
El-Rufai said the incident had strengthened his resolve to challenge the current administration.
According to him, “What happened today has made me more determined. We must keep working and not rest until March 2027 when we remove this government from office.”
He described the airport incident as unfortunate, unnecessary and possibly unlawful.
He claimed that the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC) used operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) to detain him without first sending a formal invitation.
El-Rufai explained that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had earlier invited him for questioning. However, he said he was out of the country at the time. His lawyer, he added, informed the commission that he would return and appear at its office on Monday at 10 am.
He insisted that he never received any letter or message from the ICPC before the airport episode.
“All I asked for was a letter of invitation, and I would have honoured it,” he said.
The former governor further alleged that the ICPC acted on instructions from the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu. He accused the government of using security agencies for political purposes.
According to him, security institutions are being turned into tools of partisan politics by a government that fears it may not win re-election.
He warned that such actions could weaken democratic institutions and the rule of law.
El-Rufai maintained that he is ready to respond to any lawful invitation from anti-corruption agencies, but said due process must be followed.
