Former Vice President and African Democratic Congress (ADC) leader, Atiku Abubakar, has urged the federal government to disclose the location and the agency holding former Kaduna State governor, Nasir El-Rufai.
Atiku made the call on Tuesday via X, saying that family, friends, and associates of El-Rufai are deeply concerned about his health and wellbeing.
“The health and welfare of @elrufai is a matter of grave concern to his family, friends, and associates. The Federal Government owes Nigerians clarity,” Atiku wrote.
He demanded the government state clearly which agency is responsible for El-Rufai’s detention—whether it is the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC), the State Security Service (SSS), or another security body.
Atiku stressed that all security agencies must respect El-Rufai’s rights, including safety, dignity, access to medical care, legal representation, and contact with family members.
“Secrecy in matters of detention only fuels suspicion. Nigerians deserve transparency. 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,” he said.
He expressed alarm over reports that El-Rufai suffered a nosebleed and was denied access to family, describing the situation as “deeply troubling and unacceptable in a democracy.”
Atiku promised to hold President Bola Tinubu’s administration accountable for El-Rufai’s safety, urging security authorities to grant him bail if his health or basic rights cannot be assured.
“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,” he warned.
The former PDP presidential candidate also criticized the selective prosecution of opposition figures, calling it aggressive and politically motivated, while noting that others receive softer treatment.
He claimed El-Rufai’s prosecution appears “partisan, coercive and strategically timed,” and that his continued detention under unclear terms raises questions about the real motive.
“Anti-corruption cannot be credible when it appears partisan, coercive, or strategically timed. 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,” Atiku concluded.
