Dare Babalola
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has issued a stern warning to the President Bola Tinubu administration, cautioning that the government will be held responsible if anything untoward happens to former Kaduna State Governor, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai.
Atiku expressed grave concern over reports of El-Rufai experiencing a nosebleed while in detention, deeming it disturbing and intolerable in a democratic society.
In a statement on Tuesday, he emphasised that the former governor’s health and welfare are a matter of grave concern to his family, friends, and associates.
The former presidential candidate pointed out that the Federal Government owes Nigerians clarity, adding that it must state clearly which agency is holding El-Rufai, whether the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC), the State Security Service (SSS), or any other arm of the security establishment.
According to the former VP, Nigerians deserve transparency because secrecy in matters of detention only fuels suspicion.
“Whichever agency is responsible has a constitutional duty to guarantee his safety, dignity, access to medical care, and access to his family and legal representatives.
“Reports that he suffered a nosebleed while family members were allegedly denied access are deeply troubling and unacceptable in a democracy,” Atiku said.
He said if the authorities cannot guarantee his health and fundamental rights, the lawful and humane course of action is to grant him bail without delay. “If anything happens to El-Rufai, this government will be held accountable,” he said.
“More troubling, however, is the growing perception of selective prosecution, in which opposition figures are aggressively pursued while others are conspicuously shielded from investigation or interrogation. Anti-corruption must not become a political weapon.
“The continued detention of El-Rufai under unclear circumstances raises serious questions about motive. Anti-corruption cannot be credible when it appears partisan, coercive, or strategically timed.
“Justice must be transparent. Accountability must be even-handed. And the rule of law must apply to all; without fear, without favour, and without political bias,” he said.
