Paul Ibe, a media aide to Africa Democratic Congress, ADC, presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, has lamented that former governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai has spent 126 days in detention.

Ibe said El-Rufai’s detention has shown that President Bola Tinubu’s administration is harassing and intimidating the former governor for defecting from the All Progressives Congress, APC.

Posting on his Facebook page, Ibe described El-Rufai’s ongoing trial as a sham.

He wrote: “Yesterday marked day 126 of the abduction and detention of Mallam Nasir el-Rufai @elrufai, former Governor of Kaduna State and chieftain of the @ADCNig.

“By now, it should be clear to all, irrespective of political leaning that the Tinubu-led APC administration is harassing and intimidating el-Rufai for having parted ways with the APC.

“The sham trial of the ADC chieftain is politically motivated. We’ve gathered from those asking him to go and make “peace” (whatever that means) with President Bola Tinubu, because he (Tinubu) is allegedly focused on keeping him until after the 2027 elections.

“The adjournment of his case to September appears to confirm this. Meanwhile, the conditions of the bail granted to el-Rufai is too punitive and meant to keep him perpetually in detention.

“In fact, the bail conditions only encourages civil servants to loot maximally and acquire assets and properties at all cost while in service.”

President Bola Tinubu on Wednesday said the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike, has shown that development is not selective with his strides across the capital city.

Tinubu made the remark while recalling instructing Wike to make Abuja work for all “Nigerians and not just those in Maitama and Asokoro.”

He spoke at the official commissioning of Kuje to Gwagwalada Dual Carriage Way, Phase 1, 7km, as part of projects earmarked to celebrate his third year anniversary.

Represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima, Tinubu said the road would open up the agricultural potential of the area.

He said: “Today I’m delighted to stand here in Kuje to commission the phase one of the Kuje-Gwagwalada dual carriageway, the significance of the Kuje-Gwagwalada dual carriageway is both significant and geographical.

“For decades this road was a death trap, traders from Kuje, Gwagwalada, and Kwali ply this route. Criminals thrive in darkness, students of our institutions have wasted hours in traffic, farmers could not get their produce to market on time but that story ends Today.

“This seven kilometer dual carriageway with solar powered street lights and pedestrian walkways are more than a road, it’s security, it’s commerce, it’s dignity, it’s the economic corridor linking Abuja to three area councils and opening an exit route to Southern Nigeria.

“With the construction of this road, we have unlocked the Agricultural potentials of this area, open numerous residential layouts and making it safer for mothers, students, and workers to move in any hour. This is the Renewed Hope delivered to the door steps of our people in the Satlite Towns.

“Let me specially commend the Minister of the FCT, Wike; I gave you an instruction when I appointed you to make Abuja work for all Nigerians and not just those in Maitama and Asokoro.

“You have taken renewed hope to the grassroot, from the initial quarters in Katampe to Kuje and Gwagwalada, you have proven that development must not be selective.

“You heard the cry of Satellite communities and you responded, that is leadership. Well done minister.”