Former Kaduna State Governor, Malam Nasir El-Rufai, on Wednesday, alleged that he could be arrested by the Federal Government, claiming that recent developments indicate he may be the next target.
El-Rufai made the allegation during an interview with BBC Hausa, expressing concerns over what he described as growing political intimidation against opposition figures.
The former governor, who recently defected from the ruling All Progressives Congress to the African Democratic Congress, said some of his close associates had already been detained.
“Four people we worked together in Kaduna have been arrested; so it’s only a matter of time before they come for me too,” he said.
Although he stated that he had not yet been arrested, El-Rufai suggested that the arrests of his associates signalled possible action against him.
He further alleged that political pressure was being mounted on politicians to either defect to the APC or remain within the ruling party.
According to him, the current political climate was forcing individuals to make decisions, not out of conviction but survival.
El-Rufai, who governed Kaduna State for eight years under the APC platform, has in recent times intensified his criticism of President Bola Tinubu’s administration and the party’s leadership.
His comments come amid the arrest and ongoing trial of a former Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission had accused Malami of offences including abuse of office and money laundering.
The Department of State Service later rearrested him over fresh allegations related to terrorism financing.
Malami, who also defected to the ADC and is eyeing a governorship seat in Kebbi State in 2027, had denied all allegations, describing the charges as a “political witch-hunt” linked to his defection and opposition stance.
The Federal Government and the APC had yet to officially respond to El-Rufai’s claims at the time of filing this report.
