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Paul Ibe accuses President Tinubu of deploying anti-graft agencies and security institutions against opposition figures instead of fighting corruption.
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Atiku’s spokesman cites Nasir El-Rufai’s 178-day detention and contrasts it with Senator Francis Fadahunsi’s continued freedom despite his controversial remarks.
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El-Rufai’s family describes his prolonged incarceration as “punishment before trial”, urging Nigeria’s international partners to defend due process and judicial independence.
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Ibe’s allegations sparked sharply divided reactions from Nigerians, with some backing claims of selective justice and others insisting El-Rufai’s prosecution is purely a legal matter.
August 13, (THEWILL) — Media adviser to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and Presidential Candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Paul Ibe, has accused President Bola Tinubu’s administration of weaponising Nigeria’s anti-corruption and security institutions against opposition politicians while shielding politically connected allies.
Ibe, in a strongly-worded post on his verified X account, alleged that the Federal Government had abandoned the fight against corruption in favour of what he described as a campaign of political persecution ahead of the 2027 general elections.
He cited the continued detention of former Kaduna State Governor and ADC chieftain, Nasir El-Rufai, claiming the former governor has now spent 178 days in detention following his political fallout with the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
Ibe contrasted El-Rufai’s ordeal with that of Senator Francis Fadahunsi, who remains free despite public outrage over remarks in which he allegedly called on members of his political party to kill members of the Accord Party.
He further argued that several APC politicians facing corruption-related prosecutions had continued to secure clearance to contest elections, while opposition leaders remained under sustained legal pressure.
“Former Governor of Kaduna State and chieftain of the ADC, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, has spent 178 days in detention for parting ways politically with President Bola Tinubu’s ruling APC… What other evidence do you need to confirm that Tinubu is waging a war against the OPPOSITION and not CORRUPTION?” Ibe wrote.
The comments are the latest in a series of accusations by opposition figures alleging that federal law enforcement agencies are being deployed to intimidate political rivals ahead of the 2027 elections.
El-Rufai’s Detention, Nigerians Divided
Ibe’s remarks come amid El-Rufai’s prolonged legal battle following his arrest in February 2026.
The former Kaduna governor was initially detained by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over allegations involving the alleged diversion of public funds during his administration. Although granted administrative bail, he was subsequently re-arrested by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), while the Department of State Services (DSS) later filed separate cybercrime charges relating to the alleged unlawful interception of communications linked to the Office of the National Security Adviser.
El-Rufai has consistently denied all allegations, insisting the multiple investigations and prosecutions instituted after his departure from the APC are politically motivated.
READ ALSO: Sowore Drops Explosive Claim Over El-Rufai’s Detention as Nigerians Ask: ‘Who Is Really Behind It?’
The controversy deepened after his wife, Hadiza Isma El-Rufai, published an emotional appeal in July, describing her husband’s incarceration as “punishment before trial” and alleging that overlapping charges, repeated detention, stringent bail conditions and prolonged imprisonment amounted to “lawfare”—the use of legal processes as political weapons. She urged Nigeria’s international partners, foreign missions and human rights organisations to closely monitor the case and press for due process, judicial independence and humane treatment.
Ibe’s latest post triggered sharply divided reactions from Nigerians on X.
While some users agreed that El-Rufai’s continued detention and Fadahunsi’s freedom pointed to selective justice, others insisted the former governor’s legal troubles stemmed from criminal allegations rather than political persecution.
One user, Eze, dismissed Ibe’s claims, arguing that the President had no hand in El-Rufai’s prosecution and suggesting that criticism, if any, should instead be directed at National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu.
Another, Ugochukwu, backed Ibe’s position, saying El-Rufai had remained in detention for 178 days while “the man wey call for killing dey waka free,” adding that this reinforced claims of unequal application of the law.
For Chuks, the debate reflected the irony of Nigerian politics, noting that Atiku’s spokesman appeared to be calling for the prosecution of Atiku Abubakar’s former running mate.
Another respondent, Uche, argued that the controversy should strengthen opposition efforts to rally behind a single presidential candidate ahead of the 2027 election, while Zorrobanks remarked that changing political parties now appeared to attract harsher consequences than allegedly inciting violence.
However, others defended the government’s position.
READ ALSO: DSS Closes Case Against El-Rufai as Ex-Kaduna Governor Files No-Case Defence
Oluwasegun argued that El-Rufai remained in custody because he had yet to perfect his bail conditions and insisted the President should not be blamed for judicial processes.
Similarly, Ugonn1 maintained that the former governor was facing prosecution over alleged admissions relating to criminal conduct and not because he defected from the APC, while Abiola contended that El-Rufai had already been granted bail and challenged his political allies to assist him in meeting the conditions for his release.
The Presidency and the APC have consistently denied allegations of political persecution, maintaining that anti-corruption agencies and security institutions operate independently and that investigations and prosecutions are conducted in accordance with the law, irrespective of political affiliation.
The exchange highlights the increasingly polarised political atmosphere ahead of the 2027 general elections, with El-Rufai’s prosecution continuing to fuel a wider national debate over due process, judicial independence and whether Nigeria’s anti-corruption campaign is being applied evenly across the country’s political divide.
Felix Ifijeh is a journalist with years of professional reporting experience. Known for his keen news sense, compelling storytelling and commitment to accurate, impactful reporting, he has built a reputation for turning leads into clear, engaging, and well-structured reports that resonate with readers. His work reflects deep newsroom experience and a commitment to accurate, impactful journalism.
