By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has issued a fiery warning to the Federal Government over the detention of former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, declaring that the administration will be held responsible if any harm befalls the embattled opposition figure.
In a strongly worded statement laden with accusations of secrecy, rights violations, and selective prosecution, Atiku demanded immediate clarity on El-Rufai’s whereabouts and threatened dire consequences should the government fail to guarantee his safety.
“The health and welfare of Nasir El-Rufai is a matter of grave concern to his family, friends, and associates,” Atiku said. “The Federal Government owes Nigerians clarity. It must state clearly which agency is holding him, whether the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC), the State Security Service (SSS), or any other arm of the security establishment.”
The former Vice President warned that the shroud of secrecy surrounding the detention is breeding public distrust. “Secrecy in matters of detention only fuels suspicion. Nigerians deserve transparency,” he asserted.
Atiku raised alarm over reports that El-Rufai suffered a nosebleed in custody while his family was allegedly denied access to him, describing the situation as unacceptable in a democracy.
“Whichever agency is responsible has a constitutional duty to guarantee his safety, dignity, access to medical care, and access to his family and legal representatives,” Atiku stressed. “Reports that he suffered a nosebleed while family members were allegedly denied access are deeply troubling and unacceptable in a democracy.”
He then issued a blunt ultimatum: “If the authorities cannot guarantee his health and fundamental rights, the lawful and humane course of action is to grant him bail without delay. If anything happens to El-Rufai, this government will be held accountable.”
In a scathing critique of the administration’s anti-corruption drive, Atiku accused the government of shielding its allies while hunting down opposition figures.
“More troubling, however, is the growing perception of selective prosecution, in which opposition figures are aggressively pursued while others are conspicuously shielded from investigation or interrogation,” he charged. “Anti-corruption must not become a political weapon.”
He argued that the timing and circumstances of El-Rufai’s detention raise troubling questions about the government’s motives. “The continued detention of El-Rufai under unclear circumstances raises serious questions about motive. Anti-corruption cannot be credible when it appears partisan, coercive, or strategically timed.”
Concluding his statement with a call for justice and even-handedness, Atiku demanded: “Justice must be transparent. Accountability must be even-handed. And the rule of law must apply to all; without fear, without favour, and without political bias.”
As of press time, security agencies had yet to respond to Atiku’s allegations or provide official confirmation of El-Rufai’s detention status.
