Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has called on the Federal Government to provide clarity over the reported detention of former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, describing the situation as troubling and unacceptable in a democracy.
In a statement posted on his verified X handle, Atiku said the health and welfare of El-Rufai “is a matter of grave concern to his family, friends, and associates,” insisting that Nigerians deserve to know which security agency is responsible for holding him.
“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,” he said.
Atiku warned that secrecy surrounding detention only fuels suspicion and undermines public trust. He stressed that whichever agency is involved has a constitutional duty to ensure El-Rufai’s safety, dignity, access to medical care, and access to his family and legal representatives.
The former vice president also expressed concern over reports that El-Rufai allegedly suffered a nosebleed while family members were denied access to him. He described the reports as “deeply troubling and unacceptable in a democracy.”
“If the authorities cannot guarantee his health and fundamental rights, the lawful and humane course of action is to grant him bail without delay,” Atiku said, adding that the government would be held accountable if anything happens to the former governor.
Beyond the immediate issue of detention, Atiku raised broader concerns about what he described as a growing perception of selective prosecution. He alleged that opposition figures are being aggressively pursued while others are shielded from investigation or interrogation.
“Anti-corruption must not become a political weapon,” he stated, adding that anti-graft efforts lose credibility when they appear partisan, coercive, or strategically timed.
He concluded by calling for transparency and even-handedness in the application of justice, insisting that the rule of law must apply to all “without fear, without favour, and without political bias.”