‎By Ahmed Akanbi

‎The African Democratic Congress (ADC), on Tuesday, accused the Federal Government and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) of denying former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, access to medical treatment.

‎The party alleged that El-Rufai’s personal physician was arrested and his wife assaulted during a hospital visit in Abuja.

‎In a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, the ADC described the incident as “an assault on the Constitution, human dignity and the rule of law,” and warned that Nigeria was drifting towards authoritarianism under President Bola Tinubu.

‎According to the ADC, El-Rufai was taken to the National Hospital, Abuja, after his health reportedly deteriorated.

‎The party said doctors recommended his admission for further treatment, but ICPC officials allegedly insisted on returning him to custody despite the medical advice.

‎The ADC further claimed that a confrontation ensued when El-Rufai’s wife and personal physician protested the decision. It alleged that his wife was assaulted during the altercation, while his doctor was arrested by ICPC operatives.

‎The opposition party also accused the anti-graft agency of denying El-Rufai access to his family and medical team in violation of existing court orders. It said the orders granted him unrestricted access to his lawyers, physician and relatives.

‎“The world should know today that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is holding a political prisoner in Nigeria by the name of Mallam Nasiru El-Rufai,” the statement said.

‎The ADC argued that the ICPC’s actions had gone beyond legitimate law enforcement and amounted to political persecution aimed at intimidating opposition figures.

‎It said the development raised broader concerns about constitutional democracy and the rule of law in Nigeria.

‎The party called on the ICPC to explain the circumstances surrounding the alleged denial of medical care, the restriction of family access, and the reported arrest of El-Rufai’s physician.

‎It also urged Tinubu to take responsibility for the actions of government agencies, insisting that the President could not distance himself from the conduct of anti-corruption institutions under his administration.