By Nchetachi Chukwuajah
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has called on the Federal Government and the Kaduna State Government to release former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, before Eid celebrations.
Atiku, in a statement issued by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, on Friday, May 15, described El-Rufai’s continued detention as “cruel, unjustifiable, and deeply troubling.”
He noted that the situation is a violation of civil liberties, democratic norms, and the rule of law and warned against the use of state institutions to intimidate perceived political opponents.
The former vice president described El-Rufai’s continued detention as politically provocative and inconsistent with the principles of justice and democracy.
He said, “At a time when millions of Muslims across Nigeria and around the world are preparing to celebrate Eid-el-Kabir — a sacred season of sacrifice, compassion, forgiveness, and family reunion — it would be unconscionable for any government to weaponise state power in a manner that denies a citizen his liberty without just cause, particularly in circumstances that raise legitimate concerns about political persecution.
“Eid is a time for mercy, reconciliation, and humanity. There is absolutely no justification for keeping a man away from his family during such a solemn and spiritually significant occasion, especially where due process has not been clearly demonstrated.
“I therefore call for the immediate release of Mallam El-Rufai and urge all relevant authorities to rise above political bitterness and act in the interest of justice, peace, and national cohesion.”
The former vice president added that the Federal Government and Kaduna State authorities deploying legal processes against perceived opponents show selective justice, which, he said, undermines confidence in the rule of law.
He said that the former Kaduna governor is entitled to the full protection of the Constitution as a Nigerian citizen, adding that if he is being detained through a legal process, authorities should be transparent with Nigerians.
“Mallam El-Rufai, regardless of political differences or shifting alliances, remains a Nigerian citizen entitled to the full protection of the Constitution, including his rights to dignity, liberty, and due process.
“Democracy does not grant the government the licence to punish dissent, settle political scores, or deploy coercive institutions as instruments of intimidation.
“The Federal Government and the Kaduna State authorities must understand that selective justice is injustice. The credibility of any democracy is measured not by how it treats loyalists, but by how it treats perceived opponents,” he said.
Recall that El-Rufai and co-defendant Joel Adoga are facing a 10-count charge before Justice Rilwan Aikawa of the Federal High Court, Kaduna, bordering on alleged conversion and possession of proceeds of corruption, as well as money laundering contrary to the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
Both defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Atiku’s demand for El-Rufai’s release comes one week after the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) announced that a Federal High Court in Kaduna granted El-Rufai access to medical treatment while in custody.
