February 11, 2026 — SUNTV Global Channel
Human rights lawyer and activist, Deji Adeyanju, has criticised former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, over his recent remarks suggesting he could face arrest, arguing that the former governor lacks the moral authority to complain about intimidation.
Speaking on Wednesday, Adeyanju accused El-Rufai of overseeing a repressive atmosphere during his time in office, claiming that critics of the Kaduna State government were frequently harassed, detained, or silenced.
The activist specifically referenced the unresolved disappearance of social media commentator and government critic, Abubakar Idris, popularly known as Dadiyata. According to Adeyanju, the incident remains one of the most troubling symbols of alleged suppression during El-Rufai’s administration.
Adeyanju stated that Dadiyata was reportedly abducted in front of his wife and child and has not been seen since, with no clear outcome from investigations years after the incident.
He further alleged that the former governor routinely targeted dissenting voices while in power, insisting that several individuals who openly criticised the government faced arrests or intimidation.
Adeyanju also used the situation to highlight what he described as contradictions within Nigeria’s political class, noting how shifting alliances often change public narratives.
In his words, “The oppressors of yesterday are now comrades,” suggesting that El-Rufai’s current claims of possible persecution contrast sharply with his past record in office.
El-Rufai had earlier hinted that he might be arrested, a statement that has since sparked widespread political reactions and renewed debate over accountability, free speech, and the treatment of critics during his tenure as Kaduna State governor.
