The National Executive Committee of the African Democratic Congress has called for the immediate release of former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, describing him as a “prisoner of conscience.”
This was part of the resolutions reached at the party’s 101st National Executive Committee meeting held in Abuja on Saturday, where party leaders also ratified the outcome of its recent primary elections and approved major organisational changes ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The party in a communiqué issued at the end of the meeting and signed by its National Publicity Secretary of the party, Bolaji Abdullahi, said the NEC unanimously recognised El-Rufai as a victim of political persecution and called for his freedom.
“The NEC recognises Mallam Nasiru El-Rufai as prisoner of conscience and calls for his immediate release,” the communiqué stated.
Beyond the demand for El-Rufai’s release, the party’s highest decision-making organ outside its national convention also moved to strengthen its internal structures as preparations for the next electoral cycle gather momentum.
According to the communiqué, the NEC approved the results of the party’s recently conducted primaries for State Houses of Assembly, National Assembly, governorship and presidential elections across the country.
However, the approval excluded contests where appeals were still pending as of May 29, 2026, as well as primaries yet to be concluded.
“NEC approved the results of all recently conducted primaries for State Houses of Assembly, the National Assembly, State Governors, and the Presidential elections; except those with pending appeals as at May 29, 2026, and those yet to be concluded,” the party said.
The decision comes amid complaints and petitions from some aspirants over the conduct of primaries in parts of the country. During the NEC meeting, party leaders stressed the need to preserve internal democracy while ensuring that disputes arising from the nomination process are resolved through established party mechanisms.
The committee also approved a one-year extension of the tenure of the National Working Committee, effectively retaining the current leadership to oversee the party’s affairs through a critical period leading up to the 2027 polls.
“NEC approved the extension of the tenure of the National Working Committee (NWC) for a period of 12 months from the expiry of their current tenure,” the communiqué stated.
The extension is expected to provide continuity in the party’s leadership as it seeks to consolidate its structures, expand its membership base and position itself as a major opposition platform.
Olamilekan Adigun is a graduate of Mass Communication with years of experience in journalism embedded in uncovering human interest stories. He also prioritises accuracy and factual reportage of issues.
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