There are growing concerns within the African Democratic Congress (ADC) over the detention and legal troubles of two prominent party figures, former Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, and ex-Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai.
According to Punch, several party chieftains fear the development could disrupt internal activities and weaken the party’s coalition drive ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Malami, who served under the late former President Muhammadu Buhari, is currently standing trial for alleged money laundering involving ₦8.7 billion.
In December 2025, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) arraigned him, alongside his wife, Hajia Bashir Asabe, and son, Abubakar Abdulaziz, before Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court, Abuja.
The defendants face 16 counts bordering on conspiracy, procuring, disguising, concealing and laundering proceeds of unlawful activities under the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
On January 19, Malami was re-arrested by operatives of the Department of State Services shortly after he was released on bail from the Kuje Correctional Centre, Abuja.
After 14 days in DSS custody, Malami and his son were charged on February 3 with five counts related to terrorism and firearms offences, further compounding his legal challenges, which include separate money-laundering and asset-forfeiture cases.
El-Rufai Faces Multiple Probes
El-Rufai, on his part, is facing investigations by the EFCC, the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, and the DSS.
He was detained by the EFCC on Monday and released on Wednesday evening, only to be immediately re-arrested by the ICPC.
The former governor is standing trial over allegations of intercepting the phone communications of the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu.
The charges, marked FHC/ABJ/CR/99/2026, were filed before the Federal High Court, Abuja Judicial Division, with the Federal Republic of Nigeria listed as complainant.
Speaking with Sunday Punch, the Kogi State Chairman of the ADC, Kingsley Ogga, expressed concern that the detention of key opposition figures could destabilise the party’s structure.
Ogga, who also chairs the ADC State Chairmen Forum, said the arrests had unsettled members and affected coalition talks among opposition groups.
He said, “Definitely, the arrest of Malami and El-Rufai will affect the structure of the party because they are strong leaders we are relying on. If they are not on ground, it will deny the party a lot; their presence matters.
“Though I believe Malami can win the governorship election in Kebbi State even from detention, if allowed to pick the ticket, we also need him for other elections, particularly the presidential election. His presence matters a lot.”
Ogga accused the Tinubu administration of targeting opposition figures.
“The Tinubu government is intimidated by the popularity of El-Rufai and Malami; that is why they are detaining them. These people once worked for the APC. They know the party’s strategies and what it can do to win elections, and they are being silenced.
“Their detention will affect the party. Other leaders will be scared to openly support the ADC… There is nothing like freedom again, and without freedom, you cannot work for a political party,” he added.
Fear Among Potential Defectors
Ogga further alleged that some politicians who initially aligned with the ADC-led coalition had stepped back due to fear of investigation by anti-graft agencies.
He said, “There are people who joined the coalition but left because of fear of arrest. Former Benue State governor, Gabriel Suswam, was actively part of the coalition in its early days but stepped back after alleged threats of a probe.
“Many former governors, senators and House of Representatives members want to join us, but they cannot because of fear of being probed by the EFCC and ICPC. Some are supporting the party quietly.
“Some are APC in the day and ADC at night.”
Similarly, one of the party’s zonal chairmen, who spoke on condition of anonymity, described El-Rufai as one of the ADC’s “strikers.”
“El-Rufai is one of the opposition’s strikers. We don’t want anything to happen to him. We cannot afford to have him out of political activities for long. You cannot dispute his courage, intellect and oratory prowess. Currently, I don’t think anyone can easily fill his shoes,” he said.
He, however, noted that while the former governor should exercise restraint in his public statements, the Federal Government appeared to be taking steps to rein him in.
“Malami and El-Rufai’s travails have become a major concern for some chieftains of the party who think it will be easy to wrest power from the ruling party. We should be prepared for the worst,” he added.
