Headline

I’ve Never Said I’ll Run for President in 2023 – Tunde Bakare

Published

6 years ago

May 15, 2020

Eric

By Eric Elezuo

He is a prolific lawyer turned fiery pastor. His name is Pastor Tunde Bakare, the minister in charge of Citadel Global Community Church, formerly known as Latter Rain Assembly. In this interview with Chief Dele Momodu, conducted online, he brings to the fore his entire career profile, family and sundry engagements including his intentions for 2023. Excerpts:

Could you tell us a bit about your background?

I was born and raised in a very rich Islamic tradition. My grandfather, who was the grandson of Sodeke, was the Chief Imam of the first mosque in Sodeke. My parents, on their own were chieftains of the Islamic religion. My mother was privileged to travel to Mecca and Medina.

I attended Koranic school at a tender age. I graduated from Koranic school on April 16, 1967 with the Wolimat, and proceeded to All Saints Primary School, Kemta, a Christian school. My father had died when I was about three years old. I had to move to Sokoto to live with an uncle of mine, who happened to be the Seriki Yoruba in Sokoto, in 1959. Later in 1960, I returned to Abeokuta to continue my primary education. I started primary school in 1961 and left in 1966.

After my primary education, I moved to Lagos to become a carpenter’s apprentice. I learnt carpentry a bit, and had to run away the day I witnessed one of the apprentices being beaten with a saw. I returned to Abeokuta, and engaged in different sorts of menial jobs to save enough money for secondary education. When I finally got to Lisabi Grammar School in 1969, my classmates in primary school were already in form four, but God saw me through.

Between 1975 and 1977 I worked with First Bank, and was able to saved some money to go to university. It was only God that saw me through that period until I was called to the Bar in 1981.

Impressive! Can we have a trajectory of your law practice sir?

My law practice was a very exciting experience. The first time I set my eyes on Chief Gani Fawehimi was in 1975. I was working with First Bank then and I was also attending extramural classes for my A’levels programme. I saw Chief Gani Fawehinmi at the National Library where he made a presentation on how Nigeria can have free education, and his guest that day was Chief Obafemi Awolowo; that was my first time I set my eyes on him, and I was fascinated by his personality, his determination to use law as an instrument for social change. That was how I started my journey with Chief Gani Fawehinmi even before I entered the university. When I got to University I was doing duel job at weekends with him on Law reporting as a student

You also worked at the chambers of Chief Rotimi Williams…

Yes, I left Chief Gani Fawehinmi’s chamber for Chief Rotimi William’s chamber, and from there, I went to Burke & Co. Solicitors. I established my own law firm, Tunde Bakare & Co. (El-Shaddai Chambers) in October 1984.

Now, the chambers of Chief Gani Fawehinmi was extremely radical while that of Chief Rotimi Williams was conservative. How did you reconcile the two?

Believe me, it was a pleasure to know both icons of law, and practice with them. I must sincerely say that Chief Gani Fawehinmi brought some liberations to the Nigeria Legal System. He was extremely radical and determined to use Law as instrument for Social change. On the other side, Chief Rotimi Williams was conservative, prim and proper. Something happened when I was with Chief Rotimi Williams. I followed him to court and Chief Fawehinmi announced me. Chief Williams just graciously announced himself and the second person, and left me out. The two of them were lawyers who go to the court for law unlike today where we have two types of lawyers; those who know the law and those who know the judge.

Someone wants to know why with your underprivileged background, you are able to ‘blow’ so much grammar like an ajebutter?

I have the standard of education of those days to thank, and also Mrs. Ekpe Alabi and Mr. Adekunle who taught me English language in Lisabi Grammar School. I debated for my secondary school, part of those we debated against in those days were the likes of Otunba Gbenga Daniel. We met for the first time while representing our different schools at African Church Grammar School. On my 50th birthday, he said, “in those days, the fear of Bakare in debate is the beginning of wisdom”. He was strong himself. The teachers actually laid the foundation, and made us read books. Natural talents and discipline also helped.

You are also proficient in Yoruba language. Your Yoruba is of a different level. Could you explain a bit about how you were able to know so much of Yoruba language?

Well, I happen to be one of those called Omo Agba, and that was what we are they trained with. We were taught sometimes in signs, sometimes in Yoruba proverb. They trained us with those proverbs, and also I stayed with old people. I am the last of 22 children. I also have A1 in Yoruba Language too.

How does it make you feel these days when our children don’t want to speak Yoruba?

I feel very sad because they are losing terribly.

Were you married before starting your ministry or afterwards?

I was married before I started my ministry. I got married on November 24, 1984 and I started the ministry in 1988.

How did your wife take it when you wanted to leave a profitable career in Law to go into full time ministry?

Truth be told, she was concerned. I remembered when I told her the visions I saw, which I subsequently shared with Pastor Enoch Adeboye. Pastor Adeboye’s counsel was that I should combine the ministry with work, but I told him what God said expressly to me.

My wife simply asked how we were going to fund the education of our children because we saw how much pastors were earning; it’s next to nothing. However, I didn’t get any penny as salary from Redeemed Christian Church of God; it’s on record and Pastor Adeboye can testify. I moved on to Latter Rain Assembly with that same values, and I thank God he didn’t put me to shame.

My mother was much more concerned, I could remember she came to our place and asked if we were cursed, but when she came to Latter Rain Assembly for our 10th year anniversary, she testified, praising God that I refused to derail.

Fantastic! You really moved from extreme to extreme. First from Chief Gani Fawehinmi to Chief Rotimi Williams, and now you from Deeper Life to RCCG.

Well, I started from the Baptist Church where I got born again on September 24, 1974. I was their youth pastor in 1980. In 1977 when I got to college, I was attending Foursquare because of Charismatic Pentecostalism which is a little bit different from the Baptist, they believed fully in Jesus Christ but they were not speaking in tongues. I was filled with the Holy Spirit on January 17, 1978 and It was at Foursquare that a friend invited me to Monday Bible study in 1978 and when the Deeper Life Bible Church started, I became fully integrated. I left Deeper Life in 1983 and when I went back to Baptist church because of the issues that arose then. It was God moving me from place to place so I could understand different strings of ministry, and that’s what we put together and practice today. I thank God for those men who showed us the way of Holiness, the fear of God, and taught us faith and love.

You seem to have a photographic memory of dates. Is it because of your background of learning the Koran or how did you pick up such photographic brain?

We should give glory to God for that, but I wished you had met my mum; she passed on at the age of 108. She never mixes things up. Learning the Koran and putting the whole of the Koran in your head will definitely increase your gigabyte, and on top of that, I have the mind of Christ and his wisdom personified, so I think it’s God’s gift.

Can you can still recite the Quran?

Pastor Bakare recited different parts of the Koran.

Now, I want us to move from Pastor to Politician. How do you manage the two because your church is so interactive and you talk about good governance?

Well, my political career didn’t start yesterday. In 1964, a lot of crisis had begun in the Western Region, at the time United Progressive Grand Alliance (UPGA) was formed. I was fired up the day Yeye H.I.D Awolowo had come with Dr. Michael Okpara came to our hometown to campaign, so I became part of the then Action Group at a tender age. By the time I got to the university, I had already become a politician so I ran for the President of the Students Union. Many people thought I started yesterday, Good governance is very critical because I can give a million scholarships to student and they will call me a great man but I can influence education and it will help all the students of school age. Unfortunately, we confuse these issues, how do you separate Christianity with good governance, they are inseparable.

As an encyclopedia of Nigeria’s political history, could you just give us short analysis of your view of various governments till date?

Whatever anyone will like to say about the Nigerian political history, I’m still of the transcended opinion that the military drew us back and I call them the wasted years of our nation. Anyone who grew up around 1960 that held the flag of Nigeria and sang the old National anthem and saw what was happening, yes, there were crisis but where there not crisis after that? They took us back, and many of them are yet to restitute, to really repent of what they did to this nation. They truncated our democracy and drew us back for years and we are yet to come out of the hoax.

How can anyone in his right mind compare the laudable accomplishments of Chief Obafemi Awolowo in his 40s. If not for his free education, I won’t be here, but here we are today. We cannot compare the golden era of regionalism where each region had self-government and constitutions. Each region was developing at its pace.

We should be competing with countries like Singapore, but here we are today because the military did what military people do; when military people enter the territory of the conquered, they just loot. There is nothing to compare than the Independence to the military structure, military era and the post-military era since 1999.

If I’m going to discuss Nigeria political history, I will divide them into those three, were there other things that the military did that were good, yes! they undertook infrastructural development, and we thank them for Third-mainland Bridge but we needed more than that. They destroyed our educational system and our social life was completely collapsed. We need to rebuild Nigeria and there must be restructuring; we need to go back to those fundamentals that made this nation great.

I thank God that I served through the 2014 National Conference; hopefully one of these days, we will be able to build in this country the kind of leadership it deserves, and the pathway it should follow.

You seem not to be a great friend of your fellow Egba man, former President Olusegun Obasanjo

Well, I have nothing personal against him. In fact, many people out there will not know that we were both from Owu kingdom. Besides, he was a classmate of my uncle at Baptist Boys High School. We met at my brother’s funeral few days ago at the Baptist Church. Not only that, he was a Baptist, and at Yaba Baptist church, the Christian brothers will go to the Dodan Barracks to play music. I have nothing personal against Chief Olusegun Obasanjo but to whom much is given, much is expected, I thought no Nigerian has been as favoured by God as him in terms of governance and opportunity to serve this nation. He seems to reap where he didn’t sow; he didn’t participate in the coup of 1966, but he benefitted from it; he didn’t participate in the Murtala Mohammed coup but he became the second in command, and later he became the Head of State and then they threw him into prison. From prison, they called him again to come and head this nation, I thought if anyone was to do any surgical operation on this nation, he has it all. He is now crying for the same thing now; restructuring. Honestly, I respect his opinion. So if I do anything, it is on principle and he is also a principled man.

Do you believe that Obasanjo performed well?

To be very honest with you, since 1999, I am yet to see any leader who had assembled a formidable team like he did to oversee the affairs of this country; you can’t take that away from him.

A leader will set goals, might achieve some and not achieve some but governance should be a continuum and no administration since 1999 assembled the best like he did that took Nigeria out of debt and set in economic recovery, I doff my hat for him on that.

Sir, what are your ideas of an ideal government?

Well, pretty simple. We start from the basis, what is the purpose of government? Welfare and security of citizens. Any Government that violates the rule of law does not even know why government exist. Where there is no rule of law there will be rule of man. I can’t be part of any government that will violate the rule of law.

As the convener of the Save Nigeria Group, did you ever expect that any government will be worse than the Jonathan-led PDP government?

Well, opinions differ. I’ve received all kinds of insults that I led all kind of revolts, I never led a revolt. I led a campaign against the oppression of the Nigerian people. I did that with all integrity. It’s not about comparing apples to mangoes; they are different things.

A lot has happened on issues of security and herdsmen recently, how does this make you feel of our government? Do you think they are doing enough?

I’ve spoken publicly several times, and our problem is that it didn’t start with this administration; it escalated in this administration. One would have assumed that the President being a former General, would have made Boko Haram history, and he demonstrated his willingness to do that when he moved his command force straight into the battlefield. I want to ask sincerely that can the government alone do it? Where are these people getting their arms and ammunitions from? Where is the support for? People know where they are, whoever is supporting this people, God will expose them.

You are one of the closest persons to the president, could you tell us how you have tried to help him?

President Muhammadu Buhari has many wonderful people around him who are in government in terms of serving this nation well. You can’t rubbish the vice-president; he was an attorney-general in Lagos for 8 years, he is an erudite Professor of Law; he is a child of God and a pastor, and there are many ministers working day and night so he doesn’t need my counsel, he has enough hands. Almighty God knows he had always opened his doors to me; there had been no occasion that I needed to see the president that the door was closed against me; but let me tell you this too and I’ve taken some of my friends to him too, he is one man that will receive whatever you’ve brought with good heart and tell you something will be done about it. But he is not the one to execute it. I know he wants to leave a legacy, but a tree doesn’t make a forest.

Will you run for the office of President of Nigeria in 2023?

The steps of the righteous are ordered by the Lord, and I’ve never ever said to anyone that I’m running for the presidency; I said my contributions to governance has not ended, things are going to happen in this nation. I know all I know and I wish those who wants to run all the very best. Things will happen before that time that everyone will know that this is the way to go. If God has destined me to be the President of this country, no one can change that. What we need to know about Nigeria is that people who pursue it very hard sometimes don’t get it.

Appreciation to@Adetayo_bishop

Headline

Dangote Warns of Dire Consequences for Nigeria If Iran War Continues

Published

12 hours ago

March 24, 2026

Eric

Nigeria’s foremost industrialist, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, has warned that Middle-East tensions driving global oil volatility could have far-reaching consequences for Nigeria and African economies.

Dangote spoke on Monday in Lagos after a courtesy visit and Eid-el-Fitr homage to President Bola Tinubu.

He said the visit was to extend Sallah greetings, reconnect with the president after some time, and reaffirm respect and continued support for the administration’s policies.

Dangote noted Nigeria had no direct role in the crisis but would still feel the impact because of deep global economic interdependence.

“We are part of a global village, and unfortunately, developments like this will affect us even if we are not directly involved,” he said.

He warned that prolonged tensions could trigger higher fuel prices, rising transport costs, inflationary pressures, and widespread hardship across African economies.

“If the situation does not de-escalate, we will end up paying a heavy price, especially given existing economic challenges,” Dangote said.

He explained that governments could face mounting fiscal strain as subsidies rise and revenues fluctuate under unstable global oil market conditions.

Dangote added that Africa’s rising debt burden could worsen under prolonged instability, further limiting fiscal space and weakening economic resilience.

“Africa is already grappling with debt, and additional shocks will only compound hardship for governments and the people,” he said.

He said escalating energy costs would disrupt nearly every sector, including small enterprises, manufacturing chains, logistics operations and household consumption patterns.

“Energy affects everything. From small businesses like barbers to industries running generators, everyone will feel the impact if costs continue to rise,” he said.

Dangote noted that some countries are already adopting coping strategies such as reduced workdays, energy rationing and remote working arrangements.

He said such measures, while necessary, could reduce productivity, slow economic output and affect livelihoods, particularly among vulnerable populations.

Dangote urged global leaders to prioritise de-escalation, stressing that many Africans rely on daily earnings and remain highly exposed to economic shocks.

“In Africa, in Nigeria, many people depend on daily earnings. If they don’t work, they don’t eat. So we must pray this situation comes down quickly,” he said.

On Tinubu’s recent visit to the United Kingdom, Dangote said the trip had opened new economic opportunities and strengthened Nigeria’s investment outlook.

“I believe the visit has opened many doors. Diplomacy without economic outcomes is incomplete, and this has created opportunities for Nigeria,” he said.

He said agreements reached during the visit, especially in infrastructure and financing, signaled growing international confidence in Nigeria’s reform agenda.

“It is not just about the money committed, but the confidence it shows in Nigeria and the reforms being implemented,” he said.

Dangote said planned investments in critical sectors such as ports would significantly improve trade efficiency and support medium-term economic expansion.

“These investments will help improve our infrastructure, especially in key areas like ports, and complement ongoing government efforts,” Dangote said.

He expressed optimism that other countries, including Germany, would follow with investments as confidence in Nigeria’s economy strengthens.

“Once confidence is established, other countries will come in. It is a signal that Nigeria is ready for business,” he said.

Dangote said the agreements would enable Nigerian private sector players to access international financing and technical support for large-scale projects.

“For Nigerian investors, this shows we can approach these agencies to access funding. It means they are now open to supporting our projects,” Dangote said.

He described the development as a breakthrough, noting that such credit facilities had historically remained underutilised by Nigerian businesses.

“We have not really utilised these resources before, but now there is clear capacity and willingness to fund viable Nigerian projects,” he said.

Dangote reaffirmed his support for the administration, expressing confidence that reforms, partnerships and investor confidence would drive sustainable economic growth in Nigeria.

NAN

Headline

The Travails of Nasir El-Rufai

Published

2 days ago

March 22, 2026

Eric

By Eric Elezuo

The present predicament of the immediate past governor of Kaduna State, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, has created diverse camps of supportive, non-supportive and completely indifferent reactions.

The former governor, who completed his two terms in office on May 29, 2023, has remained in the news ever since for the wrong reasons. First, falling out with his supposed godson, the incumbent Governor of Kaduna State, Uba Sani, who has accused him of embezzlement of public funds while in office, using the state house of Assembly.

Secondly, he was unceremoniously dropped from the list of favored applicants for ministerial positions after the Senate, in a brazen act, rejected his nomination and failed to confirm him after undergoing ministerial screening. El-Rufai has neither forgiven the Senate nor President Bola Tinubu for allowing that to happen.

El-Rufai, whi was once the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), had consequently turned himself into a vocal critic of the government, offering explanations why the present administration must not be allowed to return to power in 2027.

His most recent outburst of accusing the NSA, Mallam Nuru Ribadu, of orchestrating his arrest on arrival to Nigeria from Egypt, had set the stage for his present predicament. The former governor had in a live interview on Arise Television, claimed to have tapping into the NSA’s communications line, thereby becoming privy to the discussions relating to the order of his arrest. He was therefore, invited to explain the whys and hows of his bugging a high level security line. El-Rufai has not come out of detention ever since. His journey has proceeded from the gaurdroom of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to the Department of State Security (DSS).

From all indications, these are not the best of times for the immediate past Governor. And stakeholders have insisted that it’s only a passionate presidential pardon that could extricate the former FCT minister from all entanglements.

Meanwhile, a cross-section of the newest opposition block, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) has insisted that the predicaments and persecutions El-Rufai found himself, and is facing at the moment are orchestrations of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) by President Tinubu just as the ruling party has maintained that the former governor is facing the music of his actions and inaction while in office between 2015 and 2023.

Recall that in August 2023, the Senate set the tone for what awaits El-Rufai in the Tinubu administration, when the group, against all expectations rejected his nomination as a minister, confirming 45 others. He was one of the nine former governors nominated for ministerial positions by the Tinubu administration.

The Senate refused to confirm the nomination of Nasir El-Rufai, as well as two other nominees including Stella Okotete (Delta) and Sani Danladi (Taraba).

The President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio, had informed that the three nominees not confirmed would be subjected to further security checks even as he advise them to take their matter to Mr President, stressing that the non-conformation status stemmed from ‘security reasons’.

It must be recalled also that during El-Rufai’s screening on the floor of the Senate, Senator Karimi Sunday from Kogi West Senatorial District raised a “very strong petition” against the ex-Kaduna governor that bothered on insecurity, unity, and national cohesion.

Sunday, who praised El-Rufai’s performance as Kaduna governor and Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) some 20 years ago, said, “but I have a very strong petition against you that bothers on security, unity and cohesiveness of the Nigerian nation and I think that petition has to be considered along this screening exercise”.

Much as there was a loud resistance from the Senators against the subject, the Senate President insisted on allowing the Kogi senator’s view to stand, citing reception of other petitions against the former governor.

“Distinguished colleagues, perhaps I should inform you that I have received petitions from many other people in respect of other nominees but this is not where we are to deal with petitions. Our job here is to screen and of course, we can refer petitions to where petitions would be dealt with.

“These are the nominees of Mr President. If it is something that is a formal petition before the Senate, we will look at it formally but there are certain petitions that we have to refer to the Presidency or security agencies to look at and that has nothing to do with us.

“I think by the time we are going with the issue of confirmation and approval, we will so advise. So, I will want to plead with my brother (El-Rufai) to take a bow. So, don’t bother about (addressing the petition). Thank you.”

That was the beginning of the many Travails that trailed, and continued to trail the former Kaduna governor. His case was never revisited. His preferred, and speculated ministerial portfolio, Power, was handed to a legal practitioner, marking the end of the presidential consideration. That was when El-Rufai and Tinubu’s relationship entered the stage of ‘no love lost’

Shortly afterwards in June 2024, the Kaduna State House of Assembly’s ad hoc committee had earlier submitted its investigative report on the El-Rufai administration’s financial dealings, loans, and contracts to the House

The chairman of the ad hoc committee, Henry Zacharia, said the loans secured during El-Rufai’s tenure were largely misused, and in some instances, proper procedures were not followed in obtaining them.

The Assembly Speaker, Yusuf Liman, alleged that El-Rufai’s administration misappropriated N423 billion, resulting in significant financial burdens for the state.

Many Nigerians, though had their misgivings about the 8-years stewardship of El-Rufai, dismissed the charges, claiming it was an aftermath of his altercations with the president. Some assumed it was a witchhunt perpetrated by an administration that has issues with the ex-governor.

In response however, El-Rufai sued the Kaduna State House of Assembly over claims that his administration embezzled N432 billion and left the state with significant debt obligations.

He filed a fundamental rights enforcement case against the Kaduna State House of Assembly at the Federal High Court in Kaduna.

El-Rufai, who appeared in person to file the lawsuit, alleged that the committee denied him a fair hearing, according to a statement by the former governor’s media aide, Muyiwa Adekeye, posted on his X handle.

The lawsuit, filed by El-Rufai’s lawyer, Abdulhakeem Mustapha, contested the Kaduna Assembly Committee’s report, which accused El-Rufai of corruption.

Adekeye wrote, “His lawyer, AU Mustapha SAN, said that El-Rufai approached the court as a Nigerian citizen who is entitled to be given a fair hearing before his rights can be determined by a quasi-judicial or investigative body or courts in line with the provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended) and the African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights.

“El-Rufai also asked the court to declare that by the provisions of Section 36 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999, the Report of the Ad-Hoc Committee on Investigation of Loans, Financial Transactions, Contractual Liabilities and Other Related Matters of the Government of Kaduna State from 29 May 2015 to 29 May 2023, as ratified by the Kaduna State House of Assembly, is unconstitutional and therefore null and void for violating his right to fair hearing as guaranteed under the Constitution.”

Though questions as to whether the persecutions and legal attacks on El-Rufai were products of his vituperations on the presidency for canceling his nomination as a minister, the former governor had continued to leverage on any interview to speak of the incompetence of the administration, while attempting to rally Nigerians to vote out the government come 2027. El-Rufai had also joined the now major opposition party towards wrestling power from Tinubu and his APC government.

On February 12, 2026, El-Rufai was accosted by security operatives, who attempted to arrest him upon his arrival from Cairo at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja. His passport was seized in the scuffle that ensued, even as he reportedly declined to accompany operatives without the presentation of a warrant.

To make matters worse, El-Rufai, while appearing on a live interview boasted of intercepting a phone conversation, where the NSA Nuhu Ribadu, had given the order for his arrest on arrival to Nigeria.

El-Rufai had alleged that he and some others listen to the telephone conversations of Mr Ribadu after an individual tapped the NSA’s phone.

He defended the legality of the phone interception, acknowledging that it is technically illegal but claiming, “The government does it all the time. They listen to our calls without a court order. But someone tapped his phone and told us that he gave the order.”

But like the government has been waiting for the slip, they capitalized on the revelation to initiate another round of investigation against the former governor

In His reaction after the interview on Arise TV, Presidential Spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga, raised concerns about the implications of the claim for national security.

“El-Rufai has confessed to wire-tapping Nigeria’s NSA on TV. Does it mean that he and his collaborators have wire-tapping facilities?” Onanuga queried.

He added that the issue should not be ignored, stressing the need for accountability.

“This should be thoroughly investigated and punishment meted out. El-Rufai is not too big to face the wrath of the law,” the presidential spokesperson stated.

However, between February 16 and 18, El-Rufai was detained by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission over the allegations of misappropriating ₦432 billion during his tenure as governor of Kaduna State.

The government made good its threat as the DSS arrested the former governor, and filed cybercrimes charge before the Federal High Court in Abuja against him over the phone-tapping allegation. The case was filed as FHC/ABJ/CR/99/2026.

The prosecution said he admitted to intercepting the NSA’s communications, failed to report others who conducted unlawful interceptions, and compromised public safety and national security by using technical systems to tap the NSA’s phone.

The alleged acts were said to violate provisions of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) (Amendment) Act, 2024, and the Nigerian Communications Act, 2003. No arraignment date has been fixed, and Mr El-Rufai has not publicly responded to the charges.

El-Rufai’s immediate family members have however, denied the DSS allegations just as the former proceeded to the courts to get a judgment declaring every finding as may be presented by the DSS as untenable, citing unauthorisation.

But the ICPC has continued to hold on to the former against the law as many respondents have cited.

In its defence, the ICPC attempted to provide a provide a timeline of events, to prove that El-Rufai’s detention followed a court approved process tied to ongoing investigations into alleged financial crimes., according to statement signed by John Okor Odey, the Head, Media and Public Communication at the ICPC.

“The initial remand order was granted, allowing the Commission to detain the suspect for 14 days to investigate allegations of money laundering and abuse of office. Upon the expiration of the initial order, the Commission applied for a 14-day extension to complete its investigations, which the court acceded to on 5th March, 2026.”

It further noted that an earlier attempt by El-Rufai’s counsel to nullify the remand order had already failed.

“Counsel to El-Rufai attempted to set aside the remand order issued on 19th February, 2026, but the application was dismissed on 9th March, 2026.”

The ICPC maintained that the former governor remains in custody in line with legal provisions.

“Mallam El-Rufai remains in the lawful custody of the ICPC under the remand order dated 5th March, 2026. The Commission is strictly following the court mandated timeline, including the requirement for a progress report.”

It emphasised that all actions taken so far align with the law.

“The ICPC conducts its duties with the highest professionalism and respect for the rule of law. The remand of Mr El-Rufai has been authorised by a court of law in accordance with the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) 2015.”

The Commission also reiterated its stance against media interference in legal processes.

“Furthermore, the ICPC remains firm in upholding its longstanding policy of avoiding media trials. We believe that legal disputes should be settled in the courtroom, not on newspaper pages and social media platforms. The Commission’s leadership remains steadfast and undeterred in confronting any and all challenges in the course of the current investigation.”

It urged the public to rely on verified information.

“We urge the public to avoid spreading unverified information and to rely on official updates from the Commission.”

It will still be till end of March before the fate of El-Rufai is known in these fast-paced travails with the government-controlled security agencies.

Headline

Eid-el-Fitr: Tinubu Felicitates with Nigerian Muslims, Urges Renewed Patriotism

Published

5 days ago

March 20, 2026

Eric

As Muslims worldwide celebrate Eid-el-Fitr, marking the end of Ramadan, President Bola Tinubu has congratulated the Muslim faithful in Nigeria, urging renewed commitment to the nation and humanity.

President Tinubu enjoined Nigerian Muslims to rededicate themselves to the noble teachings of the holy month, which emphasise piety, empathy, and unity among humanity.

The President’s message was contained in a statement signed by his media aide, Bayo Onanuga, on Thursday.

“We have a lot to draw from the noble lessons of Ramadan, especially at a time like this. We must continue to abide by the virtues of piety, selflessness, perseverance, kindness and compassion beyond this period,” he said.

President Tinubu urged all Muslim faithful to extend a hand of kindness to the needy of all faiths, to further show unity and camaraderie.

The President also tasked Muslim leaders to use the occasion to offer prayers for peace and prosperity to prevail in the country.

On Wednesday, the Sultan of Sokoto and President-General of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, approved the declaration of Friday as the day for Eid-el-Fitr.

He congratulated Muslims on the successful completion of Ramadan and called for sustained prayers for national unity and development.

The Sultan’s announcement came after the Federal government of Nigeria declared Thursday, 19 March, and Friday, 20 March 2026, as public holidays to mark the celebration of Eid-el-Fitr, which signifies the end of the holy month of Ramadan.

In a statement signed by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Interior, Magdalene Ajani, on Tuesday, the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, who made the declaration on behalf of the Federal Government, extended warm greetings and heartfelt congratulations to the Muslim faithful on the successful completion of the holy month of Ramadan.