Tension flared on Monday at the headquarters of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in Abuja as supporters of former Kaduna State governor, Nasir El-Rufai, clashed with security operatives during his visit to the anti-graft agency.
El-Rufai arrived at the EFCC premises around noon in response to an invitation connected to ongoing investigations into alleged corruption during his time in office. However, the situation quickly escalated outside the facility as his supporters accused security personnel of denying them access while allowing groups hostile to the former governor to gather closer to the headquarters.
Some of the supporters alleged that they were blocked at a nearby junction and dispersed with teargas, a move they described as unfair and discriminatory. They insisted they were present only to show solidarity with El-Rufai and protested what they perceived as selective treatment by security operatives. Despite being dispersed, some vowed to return after the situation calmed.
The visit followed El-Rufai’s earlier claim that security agencies were acting with political bias against him. He had previously alleged that an attempt to detain him at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport days earlier was politically motivated and linked to directives from top government officials.
El-Rufai confirmed that he had received an invitation from the EFCC for questioning and said he willingly chose to honour it after returning from abroad. He maintained that recent actions by security agencies showed growing partisanship and warned that such conduct undermines democratic principles.
The former governor, now associated with the opposition African Democratic Congress (ADC), said the developments had only strengthened his political resolve ahead of the 2027 general elections. He also claimed that several of his former associates from his Kaduna administration had already been arrested, suggesting he was being targeted next.
The incident adds to rising political tension surrounding corruption allegations linked to El-Rufai’s tenure, further deepening debates over accountability, justice, and the neutrality of Nigeria’s security institutions.
