The Digest:
Former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai has alleged that security operatives attempted to arrest him upon his arrival at Abuja Airport from Cairo on Wednesday. According to his Media Adviser, Muyiwa Adekeye, El-Rufai refused to comply without a formal invitation. The aide claimed security agents "snatched" the former governor's international passport from an associate during the incident. The identity of the operatives and their commanding authority remain unclear, with no security agency issuing an official statement. El-Rufai, who recently joined the African Democratic Congress (ADC) after leaving the APC and SDP, has been a vocal critic of President Bola Tinubu's administration.
Key Points:
- The incident escalates political tensions and raises concerns about due process in handling opposition figures.
- It may deter other opposition politicians from exercising free movement and association rights.
- El-Rufai gains political capital as a targeted figure, while security agencies face questions over operational conduct.
- This signals a potential hardening of state approach toward high-profile government critics.
- The timing, amid ongoing trials of other opposition figures, fuels perceptions of coordinated pressure.
The fate of El-Rufai's confiscated passport and whether formal charges follow will determine the next phase of this political drama.
Sources: BBC News Pidgin, Muyiwa Adekeye/Social Media
