Leaked Audio: Kaduna ADC Candidate Meets El-Rufai

The governorship candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Kaduna State, Isa Ashiru Kudan, has met with former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, amid controversy over a leaked audio recording allegedly linked to him.

Naija News reports that Ashiru disclosed the meeting in a Facebook post on Tuesday.

The meeting came after a leaked audio recording allegedly featuring the ADC governorship candidate triggered controversy within the party.

Some party loyalists dismissed the recording as fabricated, while supporters of El-Rufai reaffirmed their loyalty to the former governor.

Despite the controversy, El-Rufai’s wife, Aisha, has declared support for the ADC candidate.

Although Ashiru did not disclose where the meeting took place, he described it as productive and said it strengthened the party’s resolve ahead of the 2027 governorship election.

He said the ADC was prepared to challenge the ruling All Progressives Congress in Kaduna State.

“Today, I met with my brother Mallam Nasir Ahmed El-Rufai CON. Our conversation has only deepened our resolve,” Ashiru said.

“The ADC in Kaduna is not merely ready, we are fully able to dislodge the incompetent APC-led administration that has failed the good people of our state.

“Enough of the hardship, enough of the excuses. With unity, courage and the will of the people, we will rescue Kaduna and restore justice, development and dignity. Kaduna! 2027 is our year of redemption.”

El-Rufai is currently in the custody of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) over allegations of corruption during his tenure as Kaduna governor.

He has repeatedly denied wrongdoing.

In repeated news, the ICPC has accused El-Rufai of violating the conditions of a court-approved medical visit while in its custody.

The commission also announced the arrest of El-Rufai’s personal physician, Professor Bello Abubakar, for allegedly making false statements.

In a statement on Tuesday by its spokesperson and Head of Media and Public Communications, John Odey, the ICPC said it facilitated El-Rufai’s medical visit in line with a court directive and its obligation to respect the welfare of persons in its custody.

The commission said the Kaduna State High Court had fixed July 6, 7 and 8, 2026, for an accelerated hearing of criminal charges against El-Rufai, but he failed to appear on the first day.

According to the ICPC, its prosecution team informed the court that when officers arrived to take the former governor to court, he declined to follow them and insisted on seeing his personal doctor.

“The prosecution further informed the court that no prior request had been made to the Commission for such medical consultation and that, when asked by the Commission’s medical doctor, the defendant reportedly indicated that he had no immediate medical complaints but stated that his wife, Asia El-Rufai, who is also one of his legal counsel, had requested that he see his personal physician, Professor Bello Abubakar,” the statement said.

The commission added that the court later adjourned the matter till July 15, 2026, to hear El-Rufai’s application seeking the trial judge’s recusal and to await the decision of the Chief Judge of Kaduna State on a petition seeking transfer of the case.

The ICPC said it approved the medical visit despite the adjournment.

“During the hospital visit on Tuesday, 7th July, 2026, at the private wing of the National Hospital, FCT, officers of the Commission’s medical and security team conducted themselves professionally and respected the defendant’s privacy,” it said.

The commission said its officers remained outside the consultation room at the request of El-Rufai’s family while an oncologist reportedly examined him.

However, it alleged that photographs later posted on Facebook by one of El-Rufai’s political associates, Isa Ashiru Kudan, showed the former governor with several visitors, including Abubakar, during the period scheduled for the medical consultation.

“The images and post by Isa Kudan indicated that the arranged medical visit was utilised for activities outside the scope contemplated by the court and the ICPC. This is a clear violation of the court order!” the commission stated.

The anti-graft agency said it had treated El-Rufai and other suspects in its custody with “patience, professionalism and courtesy,” but alleged that its goodwill had been abused.