Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar has called for the immediate release of former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai ahead of the Eid-el-Kabir celebrations, describing his continued detention as unjust and politically troubling.
In a statement issued on Friday through his media aide, Phrank Shaibu, Atiku accused authorities of allegedly deploying state institutions against perceived political opponents.
He warned that such actions could erode public confidence in democracy and weaken respect for the rule of law.
The former presidential candidate argued that detaining El-Rufai during one of the most significant periods in the Islamic calendar was inappropriate, particularly amid ongoing public scrutiny surrounding the circumstances of his arrest and detention.
“At a time when Muslims across Nigeria and the world are preparing for Eid-el-Kabir, it is wrong to deny a citizen his freedom without clear justification,” Atiku stated.
According to him, Eid-el-Kabir represents a period of sacrifice, mercy, reconciliation and family reunion, adding that there was no justification for keeping El-Rufai away from his family if due process was not being transparently followed.
Atiku also cautioned both the Federal Government and Kaduna State authorities against what he described as selective justice.
He insisted that democracy should not be manipulated to intimidate critics or settle political disagreements.
According to him, the credibility of any democratic government depends on how fairly it treats opposition figures and dissenting voices.
“Mallam El-Rufai remains a Nigerian citizen with constitutional rights, including the right to liberty, dignity and fair hearing,” he said.
The former vice-president further challenged authorities to openly provide Nigerians with details if the detention was genuinely based on lawful and transparent grounds.
The statement comes days after the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission confirmed that a Federal High Court in Kaduna granted El-Rufai access to medical treatment while in custody over alleged money laundering and corruption-related offences.
El-Rufai and his co-defendant, Joel Adoga, are facing a 10-count charge involving alleged conversion and possession of proceeds of corruption as well as money laundering.
Both defendants have pleaded not guilty to the charges.
