ATIKU DEMANDS EL-RUFAI’S IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 Presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Atiku Abubakar, has renewed his call for the release of former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai and others he described as political detainees, insisting that no citizen should be held because of political beliefs or affiliations.

Atiku made the remarks while receiving leaders of the ADC from Kaduna State at his Abuja residence, where discussions also focused on the party’s preparations for the 2027 general election.

The former Vice President argued that democratic principles require respect for citizens’ rights regardless of their political associations and urged authorities to reconsider the continued detention of those he described as political prisoners.

“The federal government has no basis to continue to hold people on the grounds of their beliefs or political association. Let’s hope that the federal government will listen to wise counsel and release them immediately,” Atiku said.

Beyond the demand for El-Rufai’s release, Atiku placed Kaduna State at the centre of the ADC’s political calculations ahead of the next general election, describing the state as critical to the party’s ambitions.

He said Kaduna has remained one of his strongest political bases over the years and expressed confidence that the state would play a major role in the party’s quest for electoral success in 2027.

“Kaduna State will be key in all that we would do. I also want our party to win Kaduna State. We must not allow our elections to be stolen in the state or in any other state,” he stated.

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Atiku also urged party leaders and supporters to remain vigilant and committed as preparations for the elections gather momentum.

Referring to the recent governorship election in Osun State, the ADC candidate claimed that voters demonstrated independence in their choices despite alleged attempts at financial inducement, urging party members to draw lessons from the experience.

Meanwhile, Chairman of the ADC Presidential Campaign Council, Kashim Imam, disclosed that Kaduna State currently leads the party’s nationwide membership registration exercise and has maintained its position since the exercise began.

Imam challenged party leaders in the state to convert the growing membership figures into electoral strength, setting an ambitious target for the 2027 presidential election.

“Kaduna State came first in the registration of party members and has continued to maintain the lead. Kaduna State must deliver a minimum of one million votes for our presidential candidate. Kaduna is central to the ADC ahead of the 2027 presidential election,” he said.

Also speaking at the meeting, the ADC governorship candidate in Kaduna State, Isah Ashiru, expressed optimism about the party’s prospects, saying its growing support base positioned it strongly for future elections in the state.