Support group hires US lobbying firm over El-Rufai’s case
The El-Rufai Support Group Association has announced the engagement of Vanguard Africa, a Washington, D.C.-based international advocacy firm, to lead a campaign highlighting what it described as the erosion of the rule of law and abuse of due process in Nigeria.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, ERSGA said Vanguard Africa would coordinate outreach to officials of the United States administration, members of Congress, relevant agencies, pro-democracy institutions and multilateral stakeholders on its behalf.
According to the association, a regulatory filing published by the United States Department of State indicated that the firm would engage with U.S. officials and institutions to raise concerns about developments in Nigeria.
“Vanguard Africa will plan and execute outreach to U.S. Administration officials, Congress, relevant bureaus and agencies, pro-democracy institutions, and multilateral stakeholders on behalf of ERSGA, among other activities in the United States,” the statement read.
The campaign, according to the group, is focused on the case involving former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, whom it described as an accomplished reformer and senior statesman with decades of public service.
ERSGA alleged that El-Rufai had been detained by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission since mid-February and claimed that courts had repeatedly delayed bail hearings.
The association rejected the allegations against the former governor and maintained his innocence, citing what it described as procedural irregularities in the handling of the case.
“The treatment of Governor El-Rufai is not an isolated incident — it is a symptom of a deeper crisis threatening Nigeria’s democratic institutions,” the statement partly read.
Speaking on behalf of the association, Mohammed Salihu said the former governor’s case reflected broader concerns about the state of democratic institutions in the country.
“We are bringing these concerns to Washington because the international community has both the standing and the responsibility to speak plainly when due process is weaponised for political ends,” Salihu said.
The association added that it viewed the case as a test of the impartiality of Nigeria’s institutions, particularly as the country prepares for the 2027 general elections.
ERSGA warned that the use of legal mechanisms to sideline opposition figures could undermine free and credible democratic competition.
The group also called on the United States Government, international democratic institutions and civil society organisations to closely monitor developments in Nigeria and speak in defence of due process, judicial independence and the democratic space required for free and fair elections.
El-Rufai is being prosecuted by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission over allegations of abuse of office, financial impropriety and fraud during his tenure as governor.
