ICPC Arrests El-Rufai's Doctor, ADC Calls It Political Persecution

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has accused the Tinubu administration of political persecution after the reported arrest of Professor Bello Abubakar, the personal physician to former Kaduna Governor Nasir El-Rufai. According to a statement by the party's National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, officials of the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC) prevented El-Rufai from receiving medical treatment at the National Hospital in Abuja, despite medical advice that he should be admitted. This happened while his wife was allegedly assaulted during a scuffle with ICPC officials.

The ADC is not mincing words. They are calling this an abuse of constitutional rights and an attempt to use state institutions to target political opponents. They claim El-Rufai has been denied access to his family and personal physician despite court orders granting him unrestricted access. His wife, Hajiya Asiya El-Rufai, appealed directly to President Tinubu, saying she campaigned for him and her husband worked for his victory in 2023. She asked, 'Is this what our family deserves?' The ICPC has not publicly responded to these allegations.

This is a dangerous precedent. If a former governor with connections cannot get basic medical care or access to his family, what hope does an ordinary Nigerian have when they run afoul of the state? The ADC is demanding transparency from the ICPC and an end to what they call 'political intimidation and selective justice'. The question is: will President Tinubu say a word to stop this, or will he allow state institutions to be weaponised against his own allies?