Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has called on the Federal Government and the Kaduna State Government to immediately release former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, describing his continued detention as unjustifiable and politically motivated.
Atiku, in a statement issued on Thursday through his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, said the detention of El-Rufai ahead of the Eid-el-Kabir celebrations was disturbing and inconsistent with democratic principles and the rule of law.
He warned against what he described as the use of state institutions to intimidate perceived political opponents, stressing that democracy should not be used as a tool for political vendetta.
According to the former vice president, it would be unacceptable for any government to deny a citizen his liberty during a significant religious period without transparent legal justification.
“At a time when millions of Muslims across Nigeria and around the world are preparing to celebrate Eid Kabir, it would be unconscionable for any government to weaponise state power in a manner that denies a citizen his liberty without just cause,” the statement read.
Atiku maintained that regardless of political affiliations or differences, El-Rufai remained entitled to his constitutional rights, including liberty, dignity, and fair hearing.
He further stated that selective justice undermines public confidence in democracy and raises fears of authoritarian tendencies.
“If Mallam El-Rufai is being held on the basis of any legitimate legal process, the authorities owe Nigerians full transparency. If not, then his continued detention can only reinforce growing fears that our democracy is sliding dangerously toward intolerance and authoritarian excess,” he added.
The former vice president also described Eid-el-Kabir as a season of compassion, reconciliation, and humanity, insisting that there was no justification for keeping the former governor away from his family during the festive period without due process.
He therefore urged the relevant authorities to release El-Rufai immediately and place justice, peace, and national unity above political considerations.
0 Comments