A senior political aide to the African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, Demola Olarenwaju, has cautioned the Federal Government over the detention of former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, warning that authorities could be held accountable if his health condition worsens.

Olarenwaju made the remarks on Saturday while reacting to reports surrounding El-Rufai’s detention by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).

He claimed that denying the former governor access to medical attention while in custody would pose a serious risk to the administration of President Bola Tinubu.

According to reports cited by El-Rufai’s aide, Muyiwa Adekeye, the former governor is allegedly experiencing swollen, reddish, and itchy eyes while in detention and is in need of urgent medical care, which was said to have been denied.

El-Rufai was reportedly arrested earlier in the year at the Abuja International Airport and charged in court with alleged abuse of office and money laundering during his tenure as governor.

Reacting to the situation via a post on X, Olarenwaju warned that the handling of the matter could have serious political and legal consequences.

“Denying El-Rufai access to medical care is a risk the Bola Tinubu regime cannot afford,” he wrote.

He further stated that any deterioration in the former governor’s condition while in custody would be attributed to the government, describing the situation as politically sensitive and potentially dangerous.

“And we must say it clearly yet again that if anything happens to the man, it will be on the government that has detained him illegally. Politics taken to this extent is extremely dangerous,” he added.

The allegations come amid ongoing legal and political debates surrounding El-Rufai’s detention and the actions of anti-corruption authorities.