Former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai has claimed that he may be targeted for arrest by Nigeria’s federal authorities, alleging that the detention of some of his close associates signals a possible move against him.
In an interview with BBC Hausa on Wednesday, El-Rufai — now a leading figure in the African Democratic Congress (ADC) — voiced concern about what he called a growing climate of political intimidation against opposition figures in the country.
El-Rufai said he has not been arrested yet, but pointed out that four individuals he worked with in Kaduna have already been detained by security agencies. He suggested that their arrests might be a precursor to action against him once he returns to Nigeria.
The former governor also criticised what he described as mounting pressure on politicians, alleging that some are being coerced to either defect to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) or remain aligned with it.
El-Rufai, who has intensified his criticism of the APC and President Bola Tinubu’s administration ahead of the 2027 general elections, said the political environment has become increasingly tense and unpredictable.
His comments come against the backdrop of other high-profile detentions in the country, including the arrest and ongoing prosecution of former Attorney-General of the Federation Abubakar Malami, who has denied wrongdoing and described his arrest as politically motivated.