The presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, Peter Obi, and a chieftain of the African Democratic Congress, Dele Momodu, have renewed calls for the release of former Kaduna State governor, Nasir El-Rufai, who has remained in custody since February.
Obi’s media aide, Idris Zekeri, told Saturday PUNCH that the former Anambra State governor had consistently demanded that El-Rufai’s case be addressed through due process.
Zekeri said Obi had been vocal about the former governor’s continued detention, arguing that the courts should establish any allegations against him rather than allowing him to remain detained for an extended period.
He said, “Peter Obi has been one of the most vocal since the issue of El-Rufai’s ordeal started. He has made tweets on it, and we still strongly believe that if there is any case against him, it should be established instead of detaining him unlawfully for an extended period of time without actually dealing with the issue.
“In fact, Obi has had an extensive press conference on this. We strongly believe that no Nigerian should be suffering extended detention without a charge and without his rights being respected.”
El-Rufai has been in the custody of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission since February amid investigations and separate criminal proceedings.
The ICPC has maintained that his detention was authorised by court orders, while El-Rufai has challenged aspects of his continued detention and the proceedings against him.
On Tuesday, the Federal High Court in Abuja reserved ruling on El-Rufai’s no-case submission in the alleged unlawful interception of the telephone communications of the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu.
The court fixed October 26 for the ruling.
Similarly, his N1bn fundamental rights suit against the ICPC, Inspector-General of Police and Attorney-General of the Federation was adjourned to October 27.
Meanwhile, Momodu, who is the Deputy Director-General of the Atiku Presidential Campaign Council Media and Communications Directorate, criticised the continued detention of the former governor during Friday’s edition of Channels Television’s Morning Brief.
He said El-Rufai’s contribution to the emergence of President Bola Tinubu’s administration should not be overlooked.
“We can all see what he experienced in the hands of a government he helped to midwife. Without former President Muhammad Buhari, Aisha Buhari and Nasir El-Rufai, I am not sure President Tinubu will be in office today.
“But if that is the way they have chosen to treat him because someone desperately wanted a second term and believe that with Nasir around, it might be difficult, God is the ultimate judge,” he stated.
Momodu also welcomed the ADC’s decision to appoint El-Rufai to a role in its political structure despite his continued detention.
He said, “What the ADC has done is to, at least, dignify the man with an appointment. Whether he is able to attend to it or not is immaterial. But I am very happy that the ADC found it very necessary to put him on that list.”
Reacting to allegations that El-Rufai pursued divisive politics, particularly during his tenure as Kaduna State governor, Momodu said the former governor had previously enjoyed the support of the same political establishment now critical of him.
“Barely four years ago, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai was busy campaigning for Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, was he not in government then? Did they find him divisive at the time or is it now that he is not in circulation? They just want to give a dog a bad name to hang it.
“Although in our attitude as human beings, no soul is perfect. But El-Rufai remains one of the most formidable political figures from northern Nigeria, especially in the North-West. Every presidential candidate wants to win in the North-West because without it, there is no way you can win the election.
“The majority of the votes will come from that direction, and that is why Nasir has become a prisoner of conscience. I have no doubt in my mind that if he was still in the good book of the government, he would not go through this ordeal. But we leave everything in the hands of Allah,” he added.
The renewed calls came days after El-Rufai addressed the silence of some former associates, friends and family members over his continued detention.
In a statement titled ‘My Relationships and the Aftermath’ released on his X handle, the former governor said he bore no hatred or resentment towards those who had chosen not to stand by him.
El-Rufai said his support for people and causes over the years had been guided by his Islamic faith, Arewa upbringing, personal values and conscience rather than an expectation of reciprocity.
He said his current circumstances had prompted him to reflect on some of his relationships but stressed that the reflection should not be interpreted as condemnation.
The former governor also said he had no regrets about supporting people or causes when he believed doing so was right, adding that he would not allow the actions of others to change the principles that had guided him.
On perceived injustice, ingratitude or injury against him, El-Rufai said he would not seek revenge.
