The El-Rufai Support Group Association (ERSGA) has engaged a United States-based advocacy organisation, Vanguard Africa, to lead an international campaign aimed at drawing attention to concerns over due process and the rule of law in Nigeria following the detention of former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, ERSGA said the Washington-based group would undertake advocacy efforts targeting officials within the United States government, members of Congress, federal agencies, democracy-focused institutions and multilateral organisations.
According to the association, the initiative is intended to raise awareness about what it described as troubling developments surrounding El-Rufai’s case and broader concerns about the state of democratic institutions in Nigeria.
ERSGA’s Director of Strategic Partnerships, Mohammed Salisu, said the decision followed concerns over the former governor’s detention by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Offences Commission (ICPC), as well as what the group alleged were delays in judicial proceedings relating to his bail application.
The association maintained that El-Rufai is innocent of the allegations against him and argued that the case extends beyond an individual legal matter to broader questions about judicial independence and democratic governance.
“The treatment of Governor El-Rufai is not an isolated incident — it is a symptom of a deeper crisis threatening Nigeria’s democratic institutions,” Salisu said.
ERSGA stated that Vanguard Africa would engage key stakeholders in the United States and the international community to encourage closer scrutiny of developments in Nigeria, particularly regarding adherence to due process and the rule of law.
The group further linked its concerns to preparations for the 2027 general elections, stressing that public confidence in the democratic process depends on the impartial application of the law and the protection of political rights.
READ ALSO: El-Rufai’s Rage Tied to Tinubu’s Ministerial Snub – Group
According to the association, ensuring judicial independence and fairness in legal proceedings is essential to maintaining the credibility of Nigeria’s democratic institutions ahead of the polls.
ERSGA described Vanguard Africa as an advocacy organisation with experience supporting political and pro-democracy causes across Africa.
The group noted that the organisation has previously been involved in advocacy efforts relating to political figures and democratic movements in countries including The Gambia, Niger and Uganda.
The association called on the United States government, international organisations, democracy advocates and civil society groups to closely monitor developments in Nigeria and support efforts aimed at strengthening democratic governance and protecting the rule of law.
The statement adds a new dimension to the growing political debate surrounding El-rufai’s legal challenges, which have continued to attract attention from political stakeholders and observers both within and outside Nigeria.
Neither the ICPC nor other relevant authorities had publicly responded to the latest claims by the support group as of the time of filing this report.
The development comes amid increasing political activity ahead of the 2027 general elections, with various groups and stakeholders intensifying advocacy efforts around governance, accountability and democratic reforms.