Kwankwaso has defended Peter Obi, demanded fair trial for El-Rufai and slammed FG over rights concerns.
NewsOnline Nigeria reports that the vice-presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Rabiu Kwankwaso, has criticised the Federal Government’s handling of concerns raised by the party’s presidential candidate, Peter Obi, and the continued detention of former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, urging authorities to uphold justice, fairness and the rule of law.
In a statement issued on Thursday, Kwankwaso said Obi deserved the full protection of the state after expressing fears over his safety, while insisting that El-Rufai should be accorded due process and a fair trial in line with the provisions of the Constitution.
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Reacting to Obi’s recent interview with Chude Jideonwo, in which the former Anambra State governor alleged that his role as an opposition leader had negatively affected his businesses and raised concerns about his personal safety, Kwankwaso faulted the Federal Government’s response.
“Let me state clearly: like every Nigerian, our presidential candidate and all of us deserve the full protection of the state, not ridicule for raising legitimate concerns,” he said.
Kwankwaso added that a government entrusted with protecting citizens should not dismiss or mock credible calls for help from any Nigerian, including Obi.
“A government entrusted with protecting citizens should not dismiss or mock credible calls for help from any individual, including Mr. Peter Obi,” he stated.
The former Kano State governor also expressed concern over the continued detention of El-Rufai, saying he was disturbed after watching the former governor’s wives publicly speak about the family’s ordeal.
According to him, political affiliation should never deprive any citizen of constitutional rights.
“Regardless of political affiliation, Malam El-Rufai, like every Nigerian, is entitled to due process and the presumption of innocence until proven guilty by a competent court,” Kwankwaso said.
He further criticised what he described as the delay in granting El-Rufai bail under “stringent and unreasonable conditions,” arguing that the former governor, who has not been convicted of any offence, deserves a fair and speedy trial.
Kwankwaso also stressed the need to protect El-Rufai’s health and the wellbeing of his family while legal proceedings continue.
Calling on the Federal Government to approach both matters with transparency, accountability and justice, he warned against using state institutions to settle political disputes.
“These issues must not be weaponised to settle political scores. For our democracy to truly thrive, every citizen, young or old, regardless of ethnicity, religion or political persuasion, must receive equal and equitable treatment under the law from the government that exists to protect us all,” he said.
Recall that Obi had, during an interview on With Chude, alleged that the current administration was frustrating his political activities and expressed fears that he might not be alive to contest the 2027 presidential election. He also claimed that his businesses had suffered because of his role in the opposition.
His comments drew a sharp response from the All Progressives Congress (APC), which dismissed the allegations as “hallucinations” and suggested that the former presidential candidate should undergo a psychiatric evaluation.
Kwankwaso’s statement also comes amid growing concerns over El-Rufai’s detention.
On Wednesday, one of the former governor’s wives, Asiya El-Rufai, alleged during an interview on ARISE News that the arrest of El-Rufai’s longtime physician, Professor Bello Abubakar, amounted to the “weaponisation” of healthcare. She warned that such actions could discourage medical professionals from carrying out their duties without fear of persecution.
