‘A caged lion is still a lion’: Avenge El-Rufai’s treatment with your votes — Doka tells Nigerians
— Urges voters to reject intimidation, shun violence
ABUJA — Mohammed Bello Doka has urged Nigerians to use their votes in the 2027 general elections to express their displeasure over the treatment of former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, who he said had remained in detention for months.
Doka, in a statement posted on El-Rufai’s X account on Thursday, described the former governor as a “caged lion” and urged his supporters and Nigerians to resist intimidation, remain peaceful and mobilise voters ahead of the elections.
He alleged that El-Rufai’s continued detention had taken on a political dimension, claiming that it reflected concerns among some political actors about the former governor’s influence ahead of the 2027 polls.
The statement said El-Rufai voluntarily presented himself to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and subsequently the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) on February 18, 2026.
Doka argued that the former governor’s detention had fuelled public frustration, alleging that some political figures wanted him kept in custody until after the 2027 elections.
He cited an alleged remark by a former senator at a political gathering in Zaria, claiming that the politician had urged the incumbent governor to ensure El-Rufai remained detained until after the election. The statement did not provide further details to independently establish the allegation.
Doka also linked El-Rufai’s political difficulties to his opposition to the naira redesign policy under the previous administration, arguing that the former governor had publicly criticised the policy over its impact on ordinary Nigerians.
He further claimed that El-Rufai’s failure to secure a ministerial appointment after being nominated was part of a broader political disagreement, alleging that some political actors were uncomfortable with his influence.
The statement also revisited the debate over power rotation between Nigeria’s North and South, arguing that El-Rufai had supported the transfer of power to the South after former President Muhammadu Buhari’s eight-year tenure.
Doka accused some political figures of inconsistency over zoning, arguing that political principles should not be applied selectively to suit individual ambitions.
He urged Nigerians not to allow the controversy surrounding El-Rufai to discourage them from participating in the electoral process, saying voters could hold political leaders accountable through the ballot.
“Collect the rice. Collect the noodles. Collect the bread. You will need the energy on election day,” he said, urging voters not to allow material inducements to determine their choices.
Doka, however, cautioned against violence, alleging that political unrest could be exploited to undermine the electoral process.
He urged supporters to mobilise their neighbours, educate their communities on voting procedures and protecting their votes, and turn out in large numbers on election day.
The statement also criticised the performance of government officials, alleging that some public office holders had failed to address insecurity, poverty and poor infrastructure in their constituencies. It did not provide evidence to substantiate the allegations against unnamed officials.
Doka concluded by calling on Nigerians to reject intimidation and division and use their votes to express their views on the treatment of El-Rufai.
“The lion is caged, but the lion is not dead. The people are not dead. The votes are not dead,” he said.
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