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Former Nigerian Vice President Atiku Abubakar has called on federal authorities and the Kaduna State Government to immediately release former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai ahead of the Eid Al-Fitr celebrations, describing his continued detention as unjustifiable and politically motivated.
In a statement issued on Thursday by Atiku’s Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, the former vice president condemned what he described as a “disturbing assault on civil liberties, democratic decency, and the rule of law.”
The statement said El-Rufai’s detention during a period when Muslims across Nigeria are preparing for Eid Al-Fitr was “cruel, unjustifiable, and deeply troubling,” warning that the use of state institutions against perceived political opponents could damage public confidence in Nigeria’s democracy.
“At a time when millions of Muslims across Nigeria and around the world are preparing to celebrate Eid Kabir, a sacred season of sacrifice, compassion, forgiveness, and family reunion, it would be unconscionable for any government to weaponise state power in a manner that denies a citizen his liberty without just cause,” the statement read.
Atiku maintained that regardless of political disagreements or changing alliances, El-Rufai remains entitled to constitutional protections, including the rights to liberty, dignity, and due process.
The statement further argued that democracy should not be used as a platform to “punish dissent, settle political scores, or deploy coercive institutions as instruments of intimidation.”
According to Shaibu, the former vice president warned that “selective justice is injustice,” adding that the strength of any democratic system is measured by how authorities treat perceived opponents rather than loyal supporters.
The statement also called for transparency if there are legitimate legal grounds for El-Rufai’s detention. It warned that failure to provide clarity could deepen concerns about intolerance and authoritarian tendencies within the political system.
“Eid is a time for mercy, reconciliation, and humanity. There is absolutely no justification for keeping a man away from his family during such a solemn and spiritually significant occasion, especially where due process has not been clearly demonstrated,” the statement added.
Atiku therefore urged all relevant authorities to “rise above political bitterness” and ensure El-Rufai’s immediate release in the interest of justice, peace, and national cohesion.
