Former Governor El-Rufai Sounds Alarm Over Potential Arrest by Federal Authorities
Malam Nasir El-Rufai, the former governor of Kaduna State, has publicly expressed grave concerns that the All Progressives Congress-led federal government may be preparing to arrest him. In a revealing interview with BBC Hausa on Wednesday, February 11, El-Rufai, who now serves as a prominent chieftain of the opposition African Democratic Congress, detailed his apprehensions regarding this political development.
Escalating Tensions and Recent Criticisms
The former governor has significantly intensified his criticism of President Bola Tinubu's administration and the APC, the very party under which he governed Kaduna State for eight years. Despite not having been arrested himself at this time, El-Rufai emphasized that several of his close associates have already been taken into custody, signaling what he perceives as an impending move against him.
"Four people we worked with in Kaduna have been arrested; so it's only a matter of time before they come for me too," El-Rufai stated during the interview, highlighting the pattern of detentions that he believes foreshadows his own potential arrest.
Context of Political Arrests and Legal Proceedings
El-Rufai's comments emerge against a backdrop of heightened political tensions and legal actions involving former government officials. Notably, Nigeria's former Attorney-General, Abubakar Malami, remains in custody following his arrest and ongoing trial, a situation that adds weight to El-Rufai's allegations and concerns about the current political climate.
The former governor's allegations point to a broader pattern of political targeting, raising questions about the state of democratic freedoms and the rule of law under the current administration. His decision to voice these fears through a major international media outlet like BBC Hausa underscores the seriousness with which he views the threat.
As a key figure in Nigerian politics, El-Rufai's statements are likely to reverberate through political circles, potentially influencing public opinion and diplomatic perceptions. The situation continues to develop, with observers closely monitoring whether federal authorities will respond to these allegations or if further arrests will indeed materialize as predicted.
