A member of the House of Representatives representing Kaduna North Federal Constituency and Chairman of the Committee on Banking Regulations, Mohammed Bello El-Rufai, has disclosed that presidential candidates of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Atiku Abubakar, and the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, called him to ask about his father, former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai.
Bello also said their running mates, Rotimi Amaechi and Rabiu Kwankwaso, respectively, also contacted him to inquire about the former governor.
Nasir El-Rufai was taken into custody by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) in February 2026 over an ongoing investigation. The commission later arraigned him in separate cases, including charges bordering on alleged financial misconduct.
Speaking in a video, Bello said the calls from political figures, including Peter Obi, taught him an important lesson about political relationships and personal interactions.
“Politicians like Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, Mr Peter Obi, Rotimi Amaechi, Kwankwaso, Rabiu Kwankwaso, and others called me to ask about my dad.
“I would like to thank them, particularly Mr Peter Obi. He always called me to ask about my dad. And for me, at 38, it’s a lesson in life because, in the case of Obi, I used to be critical of him.
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“And for Malam, he is using the time to finish books, catch up, read the Quran, so it’s also a moment for him in isolation to reflect, plan better, and tone down on things like that,” he said.
The ICPC confirmed in February that El-Rufai was in its custody in connection with ongoing investigations. The commission subsequently said his detention was authorised by a court through a remand order.
The former governor has also faced separate legal proceedings, including a case brought by the Department of State Services (DSS) over alleged unlawful interception of telephone communications involving the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu.
Bello’s comments come amid the former governor’s continuing legal proceedings and political activities surrounding the 2027 general election.
