From Adeko Ukpa, Abuja

Former Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Comrade Timi Frank, has raised fresh alarm over the health and safety of former Kaduna State Governor, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, alleging that a foreign doctor of Russian origin was secretly brought in to examine him while in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS).

Frank, in a statement on Friday, claimed that a DSS official contacted him to “reliably confirm” that a Russian doctor visited El-Rufai around 9:45 p.m. after authorities allegedly claimed that the former governor was ill and required urgent medical attention.

According to him, El-Rufai initially resisted the medical examination but was allegedly compelled to undergo it.

“A DSS official reached out to me to reliably confirm that a Russian doctor visited Mallam Nasir El-Rufai at about 9:45 p.m. under the claim that he was ill and required medical attention.

“Although Mallam El-Rufai allegedly refused initially, he was reportedly compelled to undergo medical examination,” Frank said.

The United Liberation Movement for West Papua (ULMWP) Ambassador to East Africa and the Middle East, questioned why a foreign doctor would be invited at night if the former governor truly needed medical care.

“If Mallam El-Rufai is truly ill, why bring in a foreign doctor at that time of the night?” he queried.

“Sneaking him in under the guise of being a doctor or a mercenary posing as a doctor to carry out this dirty job raises serious questions. How do we verify and how are we sure? This is Nigeria and anything is very possible under this administration,” he added. 

Frank maintained that El-Rufai appeared healthy during his last court appearance, insisting that any medical attention should ordinarily have been based on the former governor’s consent or request.

“The Mallam El-Rufai many Nigerians saw during his last court appearance looked healthy and stable.

“If medical attention was genuinely required, shouldn’t it have been at his own request? What then happened to the medical personnel attached to the nation’s security agencies?” he said.

He further claimed that the alleged appearance of the Russian doctor had deepened fears following what he described as earlier intelligence reports of a plot against the former Kaduna governor.

“Given the earlier intelligence I received regarding an alleged plot to eliminate Mallam El-Rufai, the sudden appearance of a Russian doctor now raises serious suspicions and deep concern,” he stated.

Frank also questioned what he described as the “desperation” surrounding El-Rufai’s detention, asking whether President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani were afraid of the former governor.

“The question Nigerians should ask is this: what exactly are President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Governor Uba Sani afraid of?” he asked.

“Is there something they know that the Nigerian public do not know? Why the apparent desperation and extraordinary measures being taken against him?”

Frank recalled El-Rufai’s role in the emergence of the current administration, noting that the former governor played a “critical role” during the 2023 elections.

“We all know the critical role Mallam El-Rufai played in the last election, especially when then-candidate Bola Ahmed Tinubu visited him in Kaduna and appealed to him to remain committed to supporting the administration,” he said.

The former APC spokesman also claimed he had earlier predicted that El-Rufai would eventually be arrested after attending court proceedings.

“Recall that I had earlier stated publicly that Mallam El-Rufai would eventually be picked up from the court premises — and exactly that happened. Nigerians should therefore not treat these developments lightly,” he added.

Frank alleged that the former governor had been returned to DSS custody despite an alleged subsisting order for him to remain with the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).

He further identified the foreign doctor as “Dr Dmitriy,” alleging that the medical examination was carried out without proper consultation with El-Rufai or members of his family.

Frank said: “It is strange that a Russian doctor, who has now after further intelligence been identified as one Dr Dmitriy, was brought in to examine Mallam El-Rufai without proper consultation with him or members of his family.

“Despite a subsisting order for him to remain with the ICPC, the DSS reportedly hurriedly moved him back into its custody. Naturally, this development has intensified public suspicion.”

Frank argued that El-Rufai had not attempted to evade security agencies, stressing that the former governor voluntarily presented himself upon his return to Nigeria from Egypt.

“It is also clear to every reasonable observer that Mallam El-Rufai is not on the run. In fact, he voluntarily presented himself to security agencies immediately upon his return to Nigeria from Egypt. Since when did corruption allegations become non-bailable offences?” he queried. 

While reiterating his support for the anti-corruption war, Frank insisted that due process and the rule of law must prevail.

“For the umpteenth time, I reiterate my support for the fight against corruption. However, fairness, justice, rule of law, and due process must never be sacrificed under any circumstance,” he stated.

He also appealed to northern leaders, youths, civil society organisations and the international community to intervene and demand El-Rufai’s release.

“I pray that northern elders and youths will not sit back and watch anything untoward happen to Mallam El-Rufai,” Frank said.

“I therefore call on the Nigerian Bar Association, religious leaders, northern elders, traditional rulers, northern youths, civil society organisations, well-meaning Nigerians, and the international community to urgently demand his immediate release so he can adequately prepare for his defence.”

Frank warned that failure to act urgently could lead to dire consequences.

“If urgent action is not taken, there are growing fears that Mallam El-Rufai may either be brought out dead, released only to die later at home, or kept in prolonged detention until after the 2027 general elections,” he alleged.

“Let us act before it is too late,” he declared. 

From Adeko Ukpa

Former Executive Vice Chairman of the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI), Professor Mohammed Sani Haruna, on Sunday, called on party faithful, political supporters and residents of Nasarawa State to elect him as the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) during the gubernatorial primary elections on Thursday in the state.

Haruna made the call during the Northern Zone Mega Rally organised by the Coalition of Engr. Prof. Mohammed Sani Haruna Support Groups in Akwanga, Nasarawa state.

Haruna also advised voters to participate actively in the democratic process, while remaining law-abiding throughout the exercise.

CAPTION: A former Executive Vice Chairman/Chief Executive of the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI), Prof. Mohammad Sani Haruna (right), addressing his supporters, during the Northern Zone Mega Rally for the 2027 Nasarawa APC Governorship Primaries in Akwanga, Nasarawa State on Sunday.

He urged supporters to come out en masse and vote for him, monitor the process peacefully and ensure that their votes count without disrupting electoral activities.

“Cast your vote for me, witness the process, protect your vote and ensure it is counted. But do not obstruct the process, do not insult anybody and do not campaign at the polling units,” he cautioned.

The former NASENI chief further expressed optimism about the future of the state, saying peace and unity remained critical foundations for sustainable growth and development.

He called on his supporters and party faithful to embrace peace, tolerance and unity ahead of the primary elections in the state.

He urged party members to shun violence, intimidation and hate, insisting that political contests should not degenerate into conflict or bloodshed.

He said: “You don’t need to quarrel, you don’t need to insult, and you don’t need to fight with anybody. Our interest in serving the state is not worth anybody shedding blood or fighting with anybody because it is only under peace, understanding, security and love for each other that development can thrive.”

The former NASENI boss stressed the importance of peaceful coexistence among the diverse ethnic, religious, and cultural groups in the state, noting that diversity should be harnessed as a tool for development rather than division.

According to him, “God Almighty that created us, if He so wished, we would all speak the same language, belong to the same tribe, the same dialect and profess the same religion. But in His wisdom, He made us different so that we can add spices to life.”

He added that the state’s cultural and ethnic diversity should be celebrated and used to foster unity and progress.

“We have different cultural dances and traditions. These varieties are supposed to be harnessed for our progress. We should use our differences for development, not for hating each other. There is no tribe that is better than another. The best person is the one who cares most for humanity,” he said.

A top contender for the Nasarawa State Governorship Primaries of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and former Executive Vice Chairman, National Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI), Prof. Mohammad Sani Haruna has received a major support from youths across the state to pick the ticket.

Speaking to newsmen yesterday in Lafia, the state secretary of Renewed Hope Grassroots Movement, Alhaji Umar Abdullahi said Haruna remains the best candidate to lead the state and he is the candidate to beat in this week’s primaries.

L-R: Coordinator of Chiroma Ward, Alhaji Mohammed Nasiru, State Secretary of Renewed Hope Grassroots Movement, Alhaji Umar Abdullahi, Publicity Secretary of the Group, Abdullahi Zakari Shehu, and the Coordinator of Lafia LG, Mr Haruna Akpo, during a press conference in Lafia  on Saturday to endorse Prof. Mohammad Sani Haruna for Nasarawa Governorship.

The APC has scheduled May 21st 2026 for the conduct of its Governorship Primaries across the country.

He described the coming of Haruna into the race as a defining moment in the political evolution of the state.
He said the ex-NASENI boss reflects a broad recognition of his years of public service and commitment to development.
He said: “We are a support group that have structures in all the 13 LGAs and 147 wards, and we hereby endorse Prof Mohammad Sani Haruna as the most qualified and the best candidate for the governorship of Nasarawa State in 2027.

“This endorsement is based on his proven track records of delivering tangible, industrial and human capital development projects that directly uplift Nasarawa State and its people.

“His achievements demonstrate vision, capacity, and commitment to transforming Nasarawa from a civil service state into an industrial and technology hub.”

He said, the ex-NASENI boss has attracted a lot of investments to Nasarawa State which include the establishment of NASENI Renewable Energy Industrial Park Gora, Karu.
He said the park is focused on renewable Energy manufacturing and innovationvwhich is attracting investments and creating skilled jobs for Nasarawa youths.

“The establishment of NASENI Skills Acquisition Center and North Central Zonal Engineering and Science Integrated Laboratory, Keffi is providing technical training and research facilities to equip youths with practical engineering and science skills for the 21st century economy.

He said the projects by Haruna have placed Nasarawa State at the centre of Nigeria’s industrialization and technology development agenda

“They reflect Haruna’s ability to attract federal presence, creates jobs, build skills , and lay the foundation for sustainable economic growth. Therefore, the renewed hope grassroot movement, Nasarawa State chapter endorses Prof Mohammad Sani Haruna as the best candidate to lead Nasarawa State.

“We believe his experience, vision, and proven capacity to deliver will accelerate development, unite the people, and align Nasarawa with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda,” he said