On Monday, there was some drama at the Kaduna State High Court when former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai was heard talking about the upcoming national convention of the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
The news comes at a time when tensions are rising in the opposition party. They have insisted on going ahead with the convention even though the Independent National Electoral Commission has warned them not to.
El-Rufai got to the court around 9 a.m. and was seen talking to one of his supporters for a short time before the case began.
The former governor was walking to the courtroom with his legal team while wearing a white babbanriga and an ash-colored cap. He was holding a document.
“So, the Convention is tomorrow, right?” El-Rufai was quoted by Daily Trust as saying.
His loyalist is said to have said, “God’s willing.”
It was said that El-Rufai smiled after that and then walked into the courtroom with one of his wives.
Despite warnings from INEC, the ADC has stuck to its plan to hold its national convention on Tuesday.
The electoral umpire had already told political parties not to hold conventions that might not follow the rules, which raised concerns about possible disputes and questions about the legitimacy of the conventions.
Even so, the ADC leaders have promised not to back down, which could lead to a fight with the electoral body.
There were more security guards at the Kaduna State High Court, and they were stationed inside and outside the building.
Officials also kept an eye on major roads leading to the court to make sure that law and order didn’t break down during the trial.
Reports say that El-Rufai is on trial with a man named Amadu Sule for claims of abuse of office, fraud, intent to commit fraud, and giving someone an unfair advantage.
The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission brought the charges.
The case is not the same as another one that is still going on in the Federal High Court in Kaduna. A bail application is set to be heard there on Tuesday.
The ADC said that the prosecution of El-Rufai was politically motivated in response to the trial.
The party said that the Federal Government was behind a witch hunt against people in the opposition.
People in the party said that the lawsuit against the former governor was part of a larger effort to silence the opposition before future elections.
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