‘Is This the Reward?’ — ADC, El-Rufai’s Wife Accuse Tinubu Government of Political Persecution Over Doctor’s Arrest

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has launched a scathing attack on the administration of President Bola Tinubu, alleging that state institutions are being deployed to intimidate political opponents following the arrest of the personal physician to former Kaduna State governor, Nasir El-Rufai.

The opposition party condemned what it described as a pattern of political persecution after officials of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) reportedly arrested Prof. Bello Abubakar, El-Rufai’s personal doctor, and allegedly prevented the former governor from receiving medical treatment despite recommendations that he be admitted to hospital.

In a statement issued by its National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, the ADC claimed that ICPC officials obstructed El-Rufai’s access to medical care at the National Hospital, Abuja, and returned him to custody against medical advice.

According to the party, tensions escalated when El-Rufai’s wife and physician challenged the decision, resulting in a confrontation during which his wife was allegedly assaulted while the doctor was taken into custody.

The ADC argued that the development represented a violation of constitutional rights and accused the Federal Government of using anti-corruption agencies as tools of political vendetta.

The party further alleged that El-Rufai had been denied access to family members and his personal physician despite court orders granting him unrestricted contact with his lawyers, doctor and relatives.

Demanding answers from the anti-graft agency, the ADC called on the ICPC to publicly explain the legal basis for the restrictions imposed on the former governor, including the reported denial of family access and the arrest of his physician.

It also insisted that President Tinubu could not distance himself from the controversy, urging him to take responsibility for the conduct of agencies operating under his administration.

Among its demands, the opposition party called for immediate and unrestricted access for El-Rufai to his family, legal representatives and medical practitioners, a review of what it termed excessive bail conditions, improved detention conditions, and strict compliance with constitutional and international standards governing the treatment of detainees.

The party also demanded transparency from the ICPC regarding every restriction imposed on the former governor and called for an end to what it described as politically motivated intimidation through state institutions.

However, the ICPC has defended its actions. In a statement by its spokesperson, John Odey, the commission said Prof. Abubakar was arrested after allegedly abusing privileges granted during El-Rufai’s detention and violating a court order.

Meanwhile, the controversy took a dramatic turn as one of El-Rufai’s wives, Asiya El-Rufai, made an emotional appeal to President Tinubu, insisting that her husband was being unfairly treated despite his role in supporting the President’s 2023 election victory.

Speaking to journalists in Abuja alongside El-Rufai’s other wife, Aichatou El-Rufai, Asiya said the family was not seeking political interference in the judicial process but only asking that the former governor be afforded the rights guaranteed to every Nigerian under the Constitution.

She expressed concern over her husband’s health, stating that he suffers from high blood pressure and elevated blood sugar levels and had been denied adequate access to medical care.

In a direct appeal to the President, she recalled the family’s support during the 2023 election campaign, saying they had worked tirelessly for Tinubu’s victory and did not deserve what she described as persecution.

“We are not asking anyone to stop his prosecution,” she said. “We are only asking that he be granted his constitutional rights, including access to healthcare, family members, legal counsel and bail on reasonable terms. If he is guilty, let the court decide. If he is innocent, let the court decide.”

The allegations and counterclaims have further intensified the political storm surrounding El-Rufai’s detention, with opposition figures raising concerns about due process while the ICPC maintains that its actions were in line with lawful procedures.

As of the time of filing this report, the commission had not publicly responded to the ADC’s latest allegations regarding the alleged assault on El-Rufai’s wife and restrictions on access to the former governor.