Doka urges ballot response to El-Rufai’s detention

Abimbola Joseph

Mohammed Bello Doka has urged Nigerians to express their opposition to former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai’s continued detention through the ballot in the 2027 general elections.

In a statement posted on El-Rufai’s X account on Thursday, Doka called on supporters to remain peaceful, reject intimidation and mobilise voters.

He alleged that the former governor’s detention was politically motivated and linked to concerns about his influence ahead of the polls.

According to the statement, El-Rufai voluntarily presented himself to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and subsequently to the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission on 18 February 2026.

Doka claimed that some political figures wanted the former governor held until after the elections. The statement provided no independent evidence to support that allegation.

He also linked El-Rufai’s political difficulties to his criticism of the previous administration’s naira redesign policy and disagreements surrounding his unsuccessful ministerial nomination.

Doka said Nigerians should hold political leaders accountable through elections and resist attempts to influence their choices with material gifts.

“Collect the rice. Collect the noodles. Collect the bread. You will need the energy on election day,” he said.

He urged supporters to encourage their neighbours to vote, educate their communities about electoral procedures and turn out in large numbers.

Doka cautioned against violence, arguing that unrest could undermine the electoral process.

“The lion is caged, but the lion is not dead. The people are not dead. The votes are not dead,” he said.