There are growing concerns in the African Democratic Congress over the detention of two leaders of the party, former Minister of Justice Abubakar Malami and ex-Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai.
Sunday PUNCH gathered that many party chieftains were worried that the legal woes of the men could disrupt party activities.
Party insiders said their detention was a big blow to the coalition.
Malami, El-Rufai’s travails
Malami, who served under the administration of the late former President Muhammadu Buhari, is standing trial for alleged money laundering to the tune of N8.7bn.
In December 2025, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission arraigned Malami, his wife, Hajia Bashir Asabe, and his son, Abubakar Abdulaziz, before Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court, Abuja.
The defendants were arraigned on 16 counts of conspiracy, procuring, disguising, concealing and laundering proceeds of unlawful activities, contrary to the provisions of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
On January 19, the former minister was re-arrested by operatives of the Department of State Services immediately after being released on bail from the Kuje Correctional Centre, Abuja, where he had been remanded.
After spending 14 days in DSS custody, Malami and his son were, on February 3, charged with five counts bordering on terrorism and firearms offences.
The arraignment adds to Malami’s widening legal troubles, which include separate ongoing money-laundering proceedings and a related asset-forfeiture case before the Federal High Court.
On his part, El-Rufai is currently facing investigations and charges involving the EFCC, ICPC and the DSS.
The former Kaduna State governor was detained by the EFCC on Monday and released on Wednesday evening.
However, he was immediately re-arrested by operatives of the ICPC and has since remained in the commission’s custody.
El-Rufai is standing trial for allegedly 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, by the Federal Republic of Nigeria as complainant and El-Rufai as defendant.
ADC hit by detention
Speaking with Sunday PUNCH, the Kogi State Chairman of the ADC, Kingsley Ogga, raised concerns that the arrest of key figures in the opposition could destabilise the party ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Ogga, who is also the chairman of the ADC State Chairmen Forum, noted that Malami and El-Rufai’s travails had unsettled some members and was affecting ongoing coalition talks among opposition groups.
According to him, the arrests have created fear among both existing and prospective party members.
He accused the Tinubu’s administration of targeting key opposition figures out of political anxiety.
“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.
“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. Even those who are not yet members but are supporting us will be afraid to campaign openly because of fear of arrest and detention. There is nothing like freedom again, and without freedom, you cannot work for a political party,” Ogga said.
He noted that some politicians who initially aligned with the ADC-led coalition had pulled back after alleged threats of investigation by anti-graft agencies, including the EFCC and ICPC.
The chairman cited former Benue State governor Gabriel Suswam as an example.
“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 probe.
“Suswam was among the North-Central leaders the ADC was counting on to win the region during the election. But I learnt that the APC and the Tinubu government threatened him with investigation.
El-Rufai, Malami’s detention cripples ADC
