Dare Babalola
Former vice president and African Democratic Congress (ADC) chieftain, Atiku Abubakar, has called for the immediate release of former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, urging authorities to allow him to reunite with his family ahead of the Eid-el-Kabir celebrations.
Atiku made the appeal on Friday, describing El-Rufai’s continued detention as “unfair, unnecessary, and inconsistent with democratic principles,” while warning against what he termed the misuse of state power against political figures.
The position was contained in a statement issued by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu.
According to Atiku, holding the former governor in custody during a period of religious significance undermines the values of mercy, reconciliation, and family unity associated with Eid celebrations.
He argued that if El-Rufai’s detention is based on legal grounds, then authorities owe Nigerians full transparency regarding the process and circumstances surrounding the case.
“At a time when families across the country are preparing for Eid, it is deeply troubling that any citizen should be kept away from loved ones without clear justification that meets constitutional standards,” the statement read in part.
Atiku further maintained that El-Rufai, regardless of political differences, remains entitled to his fundamental rights under the Constitution, including liberty, dignity, and due process.
He cautioned that democracy must not be used as a tool for political retaliation, stressing that selective justice weakens public trust in the rule of law.
“Government must not weaponise state institutions to settle political disputes or silence perceived opponents. The strength of democracy lies in fairness and equal treatment before the law,” he said.
The call comes amid ongoing legal proceedings involving El-Rufai, who is facing a 10-count charge bordering on alleged money laundering and conversion of public funds before Justice Rilwan Aikawa of the Federal High Court in Kaduna.
The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) had earlier disclosed that the court granted the former governor access to medical care while in custody following an application by his legal team.
El-Rufai and his co-defendant, Joel Adoga, have both pleaded not guilty to the charges and are currently standing trial.
