By Lateef Ibrahim
Demola Olarenwaju, Senior Political Assistant to Atiku Abubakar, has described former Nasir El-Rufai as one of Nigeria’s most strategic political figures, while calling for an end to his continued detention by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Related Offences Commission (ICPC).
In a post on X, Olarenwaju said El-Rufai stood out in Nigerian politics because of what he described as his clear thinking, strategic planning and willingness to personally execute difficult political tasks.
According to him, the anti-graft agency would eventually run out of reasons to continue holding the former Kaduna State governor, adding that the circumstances surrounding his detention would ultimately expose what he called hypocrisy in the handling of the case.
Peoples Daily reports that El-Rufai, a chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), has remained in ICPC custody since February 19, 2026, over allegations of fraud and abuse of office.
The anti-corruption agency arraigned him before a Kaduna High Court on April 13 on a revised nine-count charge. He is currently standing trial while reportedly facing health challenges, amid the arrest of his personal physician.
Olarenwaju reaffirmed his support for the former governor, expressing confidence that the legal process would eventually bring clarity to the issues surrounding the case.
