The camp of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has criticised the continued detention of former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, who has spent 200 days in custody.
Atiku’s media aide, Paul Ibe, raised the concern in a statement on Friday, saying El-Rufai was entitled to justice, due process and equal treatment under the law.
Ibe said El-Rufai was not seeking immunity from investigation but should not be subjected to prolonged detention because of his decision to pursue a political path outside the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
He described the former governor as a “political prisoner” and alleged that state institutions were being used to mount pressure on opposition politicians ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Ibe questioned what he described as different treatment of opposition figures and politicians in the ruling party.
He cited former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, who is facing prosecution by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) but remains politically active and has secured the APC senatorial ticket for Kogi Central.
“Nobody should be above the law. But neither should the law become a political weapon,” Ibe said.
He alleged that the police, EFCC, Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) and other state institutions were being used to intimidate opposition figures.
Ibe urged the APC-led government to seek another mandate based on its performance rather than through what he described as the detention or intimidation of political opponents.
He said political opponents should be defeated at the ballot box rather than through prolonged detention or litigation.
El-Rufai has been in custody since February 2026 over allegations arising from his tenure as Kaduna governor. He is facing separate cases involving alleged financial misconduct and the alleged unlawful interception of telephone communications involving National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu.
The former governor has denied the allegations and maintained that the cases against him are politically motivated.
