The National Executive Committee of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) has called for the immediate release of former Kaduna State governor, Nasir el-Rufa’i, describing him as a “prisoner of conscience”.
The demand formed part of the resolutions reached at the party’s 101st National Executive Committee meeting held in Abuja yesterday, where party leaders also ratified the outcome of its recent primary elections and approved major organisational changes ahead of the 2027 general elections.
In the communiqué issued at the end of the meeting and signed by the National Publicity Secretary of the party, Bolaji Abdullahi, the ADC said the NEC unanimously recognised El-Rufai as a victim of political persecution and called for his freedom. “The NEC recognises Nasiru el-Rufa’i as prisoner of conscience, and calls for his immediate release”, the communiqué stated.
The resolution is likely to heighten political debate over el-Rufa’i’s situation, particularly given his prominence in national politics and his recent association with opposition political forces seeking to challenge the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) ahead of the 2027 elections.
A prisoner of conscience is someone detained or punished for their beliefs, identity, or peaceful expression, without having used or promoted violence.
Beyond the demand for el-Rufa’i’s release, the party’s highest decision-making organ outside its national convention also moved to strengthen its internal structures as preparations for the next electoral cycle gather momentum.
According to the communiqué, the NEC approved the results of the party’s recently conducted primaries for State Houses of Assembly, National Assembly, governorship and presidential elections across the country. However, the approval excluded contests where appeals were still pending as of May 29, 2026, as well as primaries yet to be concluded.
The decision comes amid complaints and petitions from some aspirants over the conduct of primaries in parts of the country. During the NEC meeting, party leaders stressed the need to preserve internal democracy while ensuring that disputes arising from the nomination process are resolved through established party mechanisms.
The extension is expected to provide continuity in the party’s leadership as it seeks to consolidate its structures, expand its membership base and position itself as a major opposition platform.
