The El-Rufai Support Group Association (ERSGA) has engaged Washington DC-based international advocacy firm, Vanguard Africa, to lead a campaign concerning the legal case involving former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai.
The group said the firm would coordinate engagements with United States government officials, members of Congress, relevant agencies, pro-democracy organisations and other international stakeholders.
ERSGA stated that the move followed a regulatory filing with the US Department of State, indicating that Vanguard Africa would handle advocacy and outreach activities on behalf of the association.
The group said its campaign was aimed at raising concerns over what it described as alleged breaches of due process and threats to the rule of law in Nigeria.
ERSGA rejected the allegations against El-Rufai by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), describing him as a reformer with decades of public service experience.
The association argued that the former governor’s legal battle reflects broader concerns about the strength of democratic institutions and warned that such issues could affect political participation ahead of the 2027 elections.
Speaking on behalf of the group, Mohammed Salihu said international attention was necessary to protect democratic values, judicial independence and fairness.
Salihu said, “The treatment of Governor El-Rufai is not an isolated incident — it is a symptom of a deeper crisis threatening Nigeria’s democratic institutions.”
ERSGA called on the US government, international democratic bodies and civil society groups to monitor developments and support calls for transparency and due process.
El-Rufai is facing ICPC prosecution over allegations of abuse of office, financial impropriety and fraud during his tenure as governor, charges he has denied.
