Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has expressed concern over the whereabouts and welfare of former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, calling on the Federal Government to clarify the agency responsible for his detention.
Atiku, who is also a presidential aspirant under the African Democratic Congress (ADC), made the call in a post on his official X handle on Tuesday, demanding transparency regarding El-Rufai’s custody.
According to reports, El-Rufai is currently under investigation for alleged financial misconduct by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC). He is also said to be facing scrutiny from the State Security Service (SSS) over alleged cybercrime related offences.
Raising concerns about his health, Atiku claimed there were reports that El-Rufai suffered a nosebleed while family members were allegedly denied access to him. He described the situation as troubling and unacceptable in a democratic society.
“The Federal Government owes Nigerians clarity. It must state clearly which agency is holding him,” Atiku stated, warning that secrecy surrounding the detention only fuels suspicion.
He further emphasized that whichever agency is responsible has a constitutional duty to guarantee El-Rufai’s safety, dignity, access to medical care, and access to his family and legal representatives.
Atiku also cautioned that if authorities cannot ensure his health and fundamental rights, he should be granted bail without delay. He warned that the government would be held accountable if anything happens to the former governor.
The former vice president additionally expressed concern over what he described as a growing perception of selective prosecution, alleging that opposition figures are being aggressively pursued while others are shielded from investigation.
He concluded by stressing that justice must be transparent, accountability must be even-handed, and the rule of law must apply to all without political bias.
