By Abiola Olawale
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has lambasted the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), labeling the agency “partisan” following a confrontation at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport involving former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai.
The incident, which occurred late Thursday, February 12, 2026, saw security operatives attempting to take El-Rufai into custody immediately upon his arrival from Cairo, Egypt.
On Friday morning, Atiku paid a solidarity visit to El-Rufai’s private residence in Abuja.
Sharing photos of the closed-door meeting on his official X (formerly Twitter) handle, Atiku did not mince words regarding the federal government’s tactics.
“Last night, I paid a solidarity visit to the former Governor of Kaduna State and stalwart of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, following the failed attempt by the partisan ICPC to arrest him at the airport upon his arrival in the country,” Atiku wrote.
The ICPC is yet to respond to the allegation as of the time of filing this report.
The development comes amid growing political tension following El-Rufai’s recent association with the African Democratic Congress and public criticism of federal authorities.
El-Rufai has, in recent weeks, raised concerns about possible moves by security agencies against him, following his public criticisms of the Federal Government and his growing engagement with opposition politics.
