RismadarVoice Reporters
May 22, 2026
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has accused the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) of denying its leaders access to former Kaduna State Governor, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, at the commission’s headquarters in Abuja.
In a statement issued on Friday, the party alleged that a delegation comprising its National Secretary, Rauf Aregbesola; National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi; and Secretary of its Policy and Manifesto Committee, Salihu Lukman, was refused access to El-Rufai despite what it described as prior communication with the ICPC.
The ADC said the visit was aimed at checking on El-Rufai, who it claimed is being held in custody, amid concerns raised by his family over his well-being and access to medical care.
According to the party, tension heightened at the ICPC premises after the arrival of security personnel, including what it described as “three truckloads of armed police officers,” which it said created an atmosphere of intimidation.
“It is deeply troubling that a simple request by senior party officials to visit a detained colleague was met, not with professionalism, but with a show of force,” the statement read.
The ADC further alleged that El-Rufai had been denied access to doctors and family members, claims it said were previously raised publicly by his wife, Hajiya Asia El-Rufai. It also alleged that even court-ordered medical access had been obstructed.
The party insisted that El-Rufai, a prominent figure within its ranks, is entitled to dignity, fair treatment, and unrestricted access to his family, lawyers, and medical personnel under the Constitution.
While noting that the ICPC has denied allegations of mistreatment and insisted that due process is being followed, the ADC said the refusal to grant party leaders access raises “serious concerns” about transparency.
The party warned that it would not tolerate what it described as intimidation of opposition figures and demanded immediate access to El-Rufai for his family, doctors, and political associates.
“The ADC will not stand by and watch one of its leaders subjected to this pattern of harassment and calculated humiliation,” the statement added.
