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 unfair and politically troubling.
In a statement issued on Friday through his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, Atiku said keeping El-Rufai in custody during the Muslim festive period was “cruel, unjustifiable and deeply troubling.”
The former vice president warned against what he described as the use of state institutions to intimidate political opponents, insisting that democracy must be guided by justice, fairness and respect for civil liberties.
“At a time when millions of Muslims are preparing for Eid-el-Kabir, it would be unconscionable for any government to deny a citizen his liberty without just cause, especially under circumstances that raise concerns of political persecution,” Atiku said.
He added that Eid-el-Kabir symbolises sacrifice, compassion and reconciliation, stressing that there was no reason to keep El-Rufai away from his family during such an important religious celebration.
Atiku urged the Federal Government and Kaduna State authorities to act in the interest of justice and national unity by releasing the former governor.
According to him, democracy should not be used as a platform to punish dissent or settle political scores.
“Mallam El-Rufai remains a Nigerian citizen entitled to constitutional rights, including liberty, dignity and due process,” he stated.
The former PDP presidential candidate also called on authorities to be transparent if the former governor’s detention is tied to a legal process.
El-Rufai is currently facing trial alongside Joel Adoga before Justice Rilwan Aikawa of the Federal High Court in Kaduna over alleged money laundering and corruption-related offences.
The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission had earlier confirmed that the court granted El-Rufai access to medical treatment while in custody following an application by his legal team.
The former governor and his co-defendant are facing a 10-count charge bordering on alleged possession and conversion of proceeds of corruption under the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022. Both men have pleaded not guilty to the charges.
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