Timi Frank claims a plot to kill El‑Rufai and Ayeni, urges their immediate release.

Timi Frank, who previously served as the deputy spokesperson for the ruling All Progressives Congress, has called for the immediate release of former Kaduna State governor Nasir El‑Rufai and other opposition figures, including businessman Tony Ayeni.

In a statement issued on Sunday, Frank alleged that there are plans to eliminate El‑Rufai. He said the former governor is currently being held by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Related Offences Commission on corruption charges that arose during his tenure in Kaduna State.

During the weekend, El‑Rufai’s family accused the ICPC of denying the ex‑governor and African Democratic Congress leader access to food and medical care while he was in custody.

Responding to these accusations, Frank claimed that senior officials in President Bola Tinubu’s administration are intent on eliminating El‑Rufai, citing anonymous security sources. He warned that any harm inflicted on El‑Rufai after his release would raise serious concerns.

Frank also suggested that certain judicial officers were contributing to a prolonged detention by imposing restrictive bail conditions.

“I received a troubling call from a reliable source within the security agencies alleging that there are plots to eliminate Nasir El‑Rufai, a strategic plan allegedly orchestrated by top appointees within the government and the presidency,” Frank said.

He added that Ayeni is being persecuted by the current administration because of his perceived political ties to the opposition. “For instance, Tunde Ayeni has been discharged by the courts in previous cases brought against him by the EFCC. There are concerns that he is being targeted because of perceived political affiliations and sympathy for the opposition,” he said.