Leaders of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) were on Tuesday denied access to former Kaduna State Governor, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, at the headquarters of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) in Abuja.
The delegation, led by the ADC National Secretary, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, alongside the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, and Secretary of the Manifesto and Policy Committee, Mallam Salihu Lukman, had arrived at the anti-graft agency to meet with El-Rufai but were refused entry.
Sources indicated that El-Rufai was at the ICPC for questioning, although the commission has yet to officially confirm the reason for his presence.
The visit by the ADC leaders was widely interpreted as a show of solidarity with the former governor, who has remained a central figure in ongoing political realignments ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Efforts to gain access to him were unsuccessful, as security personnel at the ICPC headquarters reportedly barred the delegation from entering the facility.
As of the time of filing this report, neither the ICPC nor El-Rufai had issued an official statement clarifying the circumstances surrounding the visit or the nature of the engagement with the anti-corruption agency.
Political observers say the development adds to the growing intrigue around high-profile political figures and anti-graft institutions as preparations intensify for the next electoral cycle.
El-Rufai, who served as Kaduna State governor until 2023, continues to play a prominent role in Nigeria’s political landscape and has been linked to emerging opposition coalition efforts.
