“Tinubu Is Persecuting El-Rufai for Joining ADC” — Okonkwo Drops Shocking Claims

A chieftain of the opposition has accused President Bola Tinubu of targeting former Kaduna State governor Nasir El-Rufai over his alleged alignment with the African Democratic Congress (ADC).

The allegation was made by lawyer and politician Kenneth Okonkwo during an appearance on a political programme on Channels Television on Friday.

Okonkwo claimed that the Federal Government’s actions against El-Rufai are politically motivated and linked to the former governor’s decision to associate with the ADC.

Speaking during the interview, Okonkwo argued that El-Rufai is being unfairly targeted by the current administration. According to him, the actions taken against the former governor amount to persecution rather than lawful prosecution.

“We believe that El-Rufai is being maltreated and persecuted because he had joined the ADC. We are not exculpating anybody, but it is the court of law that should decide, not President Tinubu,” he said.

The former presidential campaign spokesman also questioned the role of anti-corruption institutions under the current administration. He alleged that such institutions are being used to weaken political opponents.

“And for now, he is using his authority as the Commander-in-Chief to use the instrumentality of the ‘anti corruption’ against the opposition. I wonder whether there is any commission fighting corruption in Tinubu’s regime,” Okonkwo stated.

He further called on the President to immediately release El-Rufai from detention, insisting that due process must be followed in handling any allegations against him.

“The first thing President Bola Tinubu should do is to release El-Rufai. We are not saying he should not face trial but his fundamental human right should be guaranteed,” he said.

Okonkwo also argued that security agencies do not have the constitutional authority to detain a suspect for more than two days without bail. He maintained that prolonged detention without formal charges violates the rights of the accused.

“Forty-eight hours is what a government has to keep anybody in detention without granting him bail. No, you don’t have that power. And you don’t have the power according to the Supreme Court judgment to keep somebody in detention and pretend you are investigating,” he said.

He further stressed that arrests should only take place after investigations have been concluded and authorities have evidence linking a suspect to a crime.

“The whole idea of arrest is that you have concluded your investigation and you have found the person culpable for any crime you are alleging he committed.

“That somebody said anything does not give you the right to go and arrest somebody, because in criminal proceeding, it is the duty of the prosecution to prove the guilt of the suspect, not the suspect to defend his innocence.”