Atiku cautioned against using state institutions to frighten alleged political opponents, characterizing the scenario as a violation of civil liberties, democratic principles, and the rule of law.
Phrank Shaibu, his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, released a statement outlining the stance.
El-Rufai’s ongoing detention, according to the former vice president and prominent member of the African Democratic Congress, is politically provocative and goes against the values of justice and democracy.
He declared: “It would be unacceptable for any government to weaponize state power in a way that denies a citizen his liberty without just cause, particularly in circumstances that raise legitimate concerns about political persecution, at a time when millions of Muslims across Nigeria and around the world are preparing to celebrate Eid-el-Kabir – a sacred season of sacrifice, compassion, forgiveness, and family reunion.”
“Eid is a time for humanity, forgiveness, and healing. Keeping a man apart from his family on such a serious and spiritually important event is completely unjustified, especially in cases where due process has not been established.
“Therefore, I demand that Mallam El-Rufai be released immediately and implore all pertinent authorities to put aside political resentment and act in the best interests of justice, peace, and national unity.”
Atiku warned that selective justice erodes trust in the rule of law and that the Federal Government and Kaduna State authorities must make sure that democracy is measured by how fairly perceived opponents are treated.
According to him, officials ought to be open and honest with Nigerians whether the former governor of Kaduna is being held legally.
“Mallam El-Rufai is still a Nigerian citizen entitled to the full protection of the Constitution, including his rights to liberty, due process, and dignity, regardless of political differences or shifting allegiances.
“The government cannot use coercive institutions as tools of intimidation, settle political scores, or penalize dissent under democracy.
The Kaduna State government and the federal government need to realize that selective justice is unfair. Any democracy’s legitimacy is determined by how it handles perceived opponents rather than loyalists, he claimed.
The request was made a week after the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission declared that El-Rufai was given access to medical care while in detention by a Federal High Court in Kaduna.
The decision came after defense attorneys made a plea during the former governor’s continuing trial for alleged money laundering and corruption-related offenses.
“El-Rufai and co-defendant Joel Adoga are accused of money laundering in violation of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022, as well as conversion and possession of proceeds of corruption, according to a 10-count charge brought before Justice Rilwan Aikawa of the Federal High Court, Kaduna.
To the accusations, both defendants entered not guilty pleas.
