Atiku demands immediate release of El-Rufai before Eid celebration

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has urged the Federal Government and the Kaduna State Government to release former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai ahead of the Eid-el-Kabir celebrations, describing his continued detention as unjust and politically troubling.

Atiku, in a statement issued on Friday through his media aide, Phrank Shaibu, said keeping El-Rufai in custody during a major religious celebration raises concerns about fairness, civil liberties and respect for democratic principles.

The former vice president warned against what he described as the use of state institutions to target perceived political opponents, insisting that democracy must be guided by the rule of law and due process.

According to him, Eid-el-Kabir represents a period of compassion, reconciliation and family unity, making it inappropriate to deny a citizen freedom without clear justification.

“At a time when millions of Muslims are preparing for Eid-el-Kabir, it would be unconscionable to use state power in a manner that keeps a citizen away from his family under circumstances that raise concerns of political persecution,” Atiku said.

He added that authorities must demonstrate transparency if El-Rufai’s detention is strictly tied to legal proceedings.

He stressed that regardless of political affiliations or disagreements, El-Rufai remains entitled to constitutional protections, including the rights to liberty, dignity and fair hearing.

Atiku also cautioned that selective justice could weaken public confidence in democratic institutions.

“The credibility of any democracy is measured not by how it treats loyalists, but by how it treats perceived opponents,” he said.

His comments come amid the ongoing trial of El-Rufai and co-defendant Joel Adoga before the Federal High Court in Kaduna over allegations bordering on money laundering, possession of proceeds of corruption and related offences.