Timi Frank seeks US intervention over El-Rufai, Ayeni detentions

Former APC Deputy National Publicity Secretary, Timi Frank, has called on the United States government and the international community to intervene in Nigeria over the reported detention of former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, and businessman Tunde Ayeni.

 

Frank made the appeal in a statement issued on Sunday, warning that Nigeria’s anti-corruption agencies were being used for political persecution ahead of the 2027 general elections.

 

He alleged that opposition figures were increasingly being targeted through arrests and prolonged detentions, describing the trend as a threat to democratic governance.

 

Frank, who also serves as United Liberation Movement for West Papua (ULMWP) Ambassador to East Africa and the Middle East, urged global human rights organisations to closely monitor developments and act where necessary.

 

He warned that El-Rufai’s continued detention—reportedly over four months—on what he described as bailable allegations, raised serious concerns about due process and political motivation.

 

“It is for this reason that I call on the United States government, the international community, and global human rights organizations to pay close attention and intervene where necessary,” he said.

 

Frank also cautioned that any harm to the former governor, even after release, would raise questions about responsibility among government officials and judicial actors involved in the case.

 

He further alleged that El-Rufai’s political relevance and insider knowledge of the 2023 elections made him a target within current political tensions.

 

On businessman Tunde Ayeni, Frank claimed his detention was linked to political associations rather than fresh legal findings, arguing that the case represented a continuation of earlier disputes already addressed in court.

 

He described Ayeni as a businessman rather than a politician, insisting that his continued detention was unjustified and politically motivated.

 

Frank also announced plans to compile a list of officials allegedly involved in harassment or intimidation of opposition figures, which he said would be submitted to the US government and international bodies.

 

He called for possible targeted sanctions, including visa restrictions and asset freezes, against any officials found culpable.

 

According to him, such actions were necessary to protect democratic freedoms and prevent political instability in Nigeria.