El-Rufai – Malami detention has thrown the African Democratic Congress (ADC) into turmoil, with party leaders warning it could weaken opposition plans ahead of 2027. Two of the party’s high-profile figures — former Kaduna governor Nasir El-Rufai and ex-Attorney General Abubakar Malami — are battling separate legal troubles.
Malami, who served under former President Muhammadu Buhari, is facing multiple charges. In December 2025, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission arraigned him, his wife and son over alleged N8.7bn money laundering. He was later re-arrested by the Department of State Services after securing bail and subsequently charged with terrorism and firearms-related offences.
El-Rufai is also under investigation. After being detained and released by the EFCC, he was immediately re-arrested by the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission. He is standing trial at the Federal High Court in Abuja over allegations of illegally intercepting communications linked to National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu.
Within the ADC, anxiety is rising. Party leaders say the El-Rufai Malami detention has unsettled coalition talks and frightened potential defectors. Kogi ADC Chairman Kingsley Ogga claimed the arrests could disrupt the party’s structure, arguing that both men are key strategists.
The ADC’s National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, described the arrests as part of a broader pattern of pressure on opposition figures. He warned that “democracy could suffer” if intimidation persists. The party insists it will not back down.
But the ruling All Progressives Congress rejects claims of persecution. North-Central APC leader Saleh Zazzaga said the investigations are about accountability, not politics. He argued that no one is above the law and dismissed fears that the ADC poses a serious threat.
As court cases unfold, the El-Rufai Malami detention is shaping into a defining test for Nigeria’s opposition politics ahead of 2027.
