Aug 12, 2026

Sowore Calls El-Rufai Detention Political Vendetta, Demands Immediate Release

By Afolabi Olaiya Idowu in politics

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Abuja, Nigeria – August 12, 2026 — Human rights activist and African Action Congress presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore has described the continued detention of former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai as pure political vendetta rather than a pursuit of justice, urging Nigerians not to look the other way simply because they may dislike the man.

In a strongly worded post on X on Wednesday, Sowore argued that selective silence in the face of perceived injustice ultimately endangers everyone.

“It may not bother some people, but the continued detention of @elrufai is not about justice; it is political vendetta,” Sowore wrote. “It is easy to look the other way because he is not your headache, and perhaps because you don’t consider him a nice person.

But that is exactly how oppression works — it becomes acceptable when the victim is someone we dislike.

Once injustice is tolerated against one person, it becomes easier to use it against everyone else.”

He ended the post with the hashtag #FreeElRufaiNow.

Months in Custody Amid Multiple Charges

El-Rufai has been in the custody of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) for several months.

His detention began in mid-February 2026 after he honoured an invitation from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). He was later transferred to the ICPC.

The former governor faces a range of allegations, including abuse of office, money laundering, and corruption-related offences.

Separately, the Department of State Services (DSS) charged him with allegedly intercepting or wiretapping the telephone conversations of National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu. El-Rufai has consistently denied wrongdoing.

Although some courts have granted him bail, the conditions have been described as stringent, and subsequent applications — including those based on health grounds — have been refused.

Courts have ruled that his continued detention is backed by valid judicial orders, meaning the ICPC is legally bound to hold him pending the determination of the cases.

Opposition Cry and Public Protests

Opposition parties, particularly the African Democratic Congress (ADC), have repeatedly described El-Rufai as a “political prisoner.”

They argue that the timing, multiplicity of agencies involved, and difficulty in perfecting bail suggest an attempt to keep a prominent critic and potential opposition figure out of circulation ahead of the 2027 general elections.

On Wednesday, the continued detention triggered protests in Kaduna, where youth groups demanded his immediate release and threatened a larger march on Abuja if he remains in custody.

The Broader Principle at Stake

Sowore’s intervention has reignited debate over due process in high-profile cases. Supporters of his position insist that the principle of justice must apply equally, regardless of personal popularity or political affiliation.

Critics of El-Rufai counter that serious allegations must be thoroughly investigated and that no one is above the law.

As the legal processes continue, the former governor’s prolonged detention without conviction remains a flashpoint in Nigeria’s political and human rights discourse — a test of whether the justice system can separate genuine accountability from the appearance of political score-settling.