Former Kaduna State governor Malam Nasir El‑Rufai said he believes he could be arrested at any time by the All Progressives Congress‑led Federal Government, and said four people he worked with in Kaduna have been arrested, he told BBC Hausa in an interview.
Nasir El‑Rufai governed Kaduna State for eight years under the APC before defecting to the opposition African Democratic Congress. In recent months, El‑Rufai has spoken openly in media interviews about his relationship with the ruling party and federal authorities.
His comments come amid broader political discourse in Nigeria and high‑profile legal actions involving senior figures.
Interviews with national and international broadcasters such as BBC Hausa are public platforms where political actors often address current events and controversies. El‑Rufai’s remarks reflect his assessment of his situation and that of associates who worked with him.
El‑Rufai said the Federal Government could arrest him at any time, noting that he has not been detained but that four people he worked with in Kaduna have already been arrested. “Four people we worked with in Kaduna have been arrested; so it’s only a matter of time before they come for me too,” he said in the BBC Hausa interview.
He made the statement during an interview with BBC Hausa on Wednesday, saying the context of the detentions led him to raise concerns about the possibility of his own arrest.
El‑Rufai is a member of the African Democratic Congress, having left the APC under which he served as governor. In the interview, he said the ruling party was exerting pressure on politicians to either defect or remain within its ranks, though he discussed this in political terms rather than legal designations.
In recent developments connected to opposition figures, former Attorney‑General Abubakar Malami has been arrested and was facing trial, including on charges related to alleged terrorism financing, and El‑Rufai referred to Malami’s ongoing situation in public discourse.
El‑Rufai’s comments highlight tensions between some opposition figures and the ruling party, as expressed in media interviews. His remarks drew attention because of his profile as a former state governor and national political actor.
The reports about arrests of associates he mentioned are specific to individuals he said had been detained, and his statement reflects his personal view of those events as presented to BBC Hausa.
Public discussion of potential legal actions against political figures can influence broader conversations about law enforcement, political competition and governance in Nigeria.
