Dele Momodu says former Kaduna governor remains one of the most influential political figures in Northern Nigeria
A chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Dele Momodu, has defended the party’s decision to appoint former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai as Deputy Chairman of its presidential campaign council, describing him as a “prisoner of conscience.”
El-Rufai’s inclusion in the campaign council has attracted attention because the former governor is currently in detention, raising questions about his ability to participate directly in the ADC’s campaign activities.
Speaking on Channels Television’s Morning Brief on Friday, Momodu said the appointment was intended to recognise what he described as El-Rufai’s political sacrifice.
“It is a way of honouring his sacrifice because his travails, I can say, are quite political in nature,” Momodu said.
He added that El-Rufai had become a “prisoner of conscience”, alleging that his detention was politically motivated.
Momodu also noted that El-Rufai had returned to Nigeria despite the possibility of arrest.
“He is in the hands of a government that he helped to midwife. He could have stayed away from the country. He chose to come back to the country. He knew he was going to be arrested, and he was arrested,” he said.
The ADC chieftain described El-Rufai as one of the most influential political figures in Northern Nigeria, particularly the Northwest, while acknowledging the controversies surrounding his tenure as Kaduna governor.
“Our attitude [is] that no human being, no soul, is perfect, but Malam Nasiru El-Rufai remains one of the most formidable political figures from Northern Nigeria, especially the Northwest,” he said.
Addressing concerns that El-Rufai’s appointment could become a liability for the ADC, Momodu recalled the former governor’s support for President Bola Tinubu during the 2023 presidential election.
“Nearly four years ago or less, Malam Nasiru El-Rufai was busy campaigning for Asiwaju Bola Tinubu. So was he not in government then? Did they find him divisive at the time?” he asked.
Momodu further stressed the importance of the Northwest to any presidential campaign, saying major political parties would seek strong support from the region.
“What he has done is to at least dignify the man with an appointment. Whether he is able to attend to it or not is immaterial,” he said.