By Suleiman Anyalewechi
Opposition Coalition platform the African Democratic Congress, ADC, has warned against the tendency to single out members of the opposition for what it described as selective and unjust treatment.
The party particularly expressed serious concern over the alleged persecution of two of its chieftains, Abubakar Malami, SAN, former Attorney General and Minister for Justice and the immediate past Governor of Kaduna State, Malam Nasir El-Rufai by agents of the Federal Government.
In a statement on Tuesday, March 3, 2026 from its National Publicity Secretary Bolaji Abdullahi, the ADC, while condemning the brazen discriminatory treatment being meted out to its members, also, vowed to solidly stand by El-Rufai, Malami and all opposition voices presently under persecution.
The Source reports that El-Rufai and Malami are currently facing multiple prosecutions by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission EFCC, the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission ICPC and the Department of State Service, DSS, over alleged corruption practices, diversion of public funds, money laundering and security related issues.
Both chieftains of the ADC are currently being held in custody.
The ADC, in its statement, however, expressed disappointment that the cases involving members of the party are being treated differently from other persons involved in high-profile matters across the country.
While maintaining that no individual is above the law, no matter how highly placed, the ADC expressed serious concern over the discriminatory application of the laws by the Federal Government and its agencies.
“The African Democratic Congress, ADC, has been monitoring the ongoing legal cases involving two of our leaders, Mr Abubakar Malami, former Attorney General for the Federation and Minister of Justice, and Malam Nasir El-Rufai, the former Governor of Kaduna state.
“As a law-abiding party, it is important to state for the record that the ADC believes no citizen, regardless of stature or past office is above the law.
“However, in a constitutional democracy where the law is seen to operate selectively, it becomes imperative to insist, firmly, and without apology, that justice must be applied evenly, transparently and without political calculation, particularly in cases such as those involving Abubakar Malami and Nasir El-Rufai where the manner, speed and sequence of enforcement actions have understandably raised public concern about consistency and fairness.
“When a citizen is transferred from one detention facility to another before investigations are demonstrably concluded, it inevitably begs the question: Is detention being used as investigative shortcut, or as an instrument of pressure to keep these opposition leaders out of circulation ?
“In a democracy that is supposed to be governed by the rule of law, custody must follow credible, well-prepared charges, not precede them in a manner that creates the impression of pre-trial punishment.
“If there is evidence against Abubakar Malami, prosecute him transparently. If there is evidence against Nasir El-Rufai, present it before the court, and allow the law to take its course.
“But Nigeria and Nigerians will not accept a situation where the coercive instruments of the Bola Tinubu-led Federal Government are perceived to move with unusual speed against opposition figures, while similar matters elsewhere travel at a gentler pace”
“Nigerians should consider a recent high-profile case. At its centre are grave allegations of passport forgery, internal conspiracy, impersonation and the alleged use of a disputed international passport in support of property claim in London
“These are not minor procedural questions. They touch on issues of national integrity and international credibility. Yet, in that case, the accused persons pleaded not guilty, were granted bail, and the matter is proceeding with dispatch before the court”, the ADC stated.
But according to the party, it has been a different treatment for both Malami and El-Rufai, who have been facing prolonged custodial movements, inter-agency transfers and processes that appear to precede, rather than follow fully crystallized prosecution.
While reaffirming its solidarity with El-Rufai, Malami and all other opposition voices presently facing oppression, the ADC called on the Federal Government and its agencies to subscribe to the principles of justice, fairness and rule of law in their handling of the matters involving every Nigerian citizen..
“At the same time, let there be no ambiguity about our position. Abubakar Malami and Nasir El-Rufai are first, citizens of Nigeria before they are opposition leaders or members of the African Democratic Congress.
“They are, therefore, presumed innocent under the Constitution until proven otherwise in a fair and competent Court of law.That presumption should not be treated as a courtesy, but as a constitutional guarantee”, the party added.
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