Atiku Abubakar Demands Immediate Release Of Nasir el-Rufai, Urges Bola Tinubu And ICPC To Act

Former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, has called on the federal authorities under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to immediately release the embattled former governor of Kaduna State, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai.

In a statement, Atiku’s spokesperson, Phrank Shaibu, said it was cruel, unjustifiable and deeply troubling that El-Rufai is being held in detention at a time when Muslims across Nigeria are preparing for the holy Eid al-Kabir celebrations.

He said the development was a disturbing assault on civil liberties, democratic decency and the rule of law and expressed serious concern at the use of state power to intimidate perceived political opponents.

His words: “El-Rufai’s ordeal in the history of Tinubu’s government is worrisome, politically provocative and completely contrary to the principles of justice, democracy and elementary human decency.

“As millions of Muslims across Nigeria and the world prepare to celebrate Eid 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, especially in circumstances that raise legitimate concerns about political persecution.

“Mallam El-Rufai is a Nigerian citizen and entitled to all the protections available under the Constitution including his rights to dignity, liberty and due process, irrespective of any political differences or changing alliances.”

“The Federal Government and the Kaduna State authorities must learn to accept that selective justice is an injustice. “The true test of any democracy is not how it treats its friends, but how it treats its enemies,” he said.

Recall that El-Rufai was in the custody of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission.

He sought bail at arraignment but the ICPC opposed his application in court.