Former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi and ADC chieftain Dele Momodu have renewed their calls for the release of former Kaduna Governor Nasir El-Rufai, as Momodu described him as a “prisoner of conscience” following his alleged fallout with the Tinubu administration. Obi’s media aide, Idris Zekeri, said the former governor had consistently called for El-Rufai’s […]

Former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi and ADC chieftain Dele Momodu have renewed their calls for the release of former Kaduna Governor Nasir El-Rufai, as Momodu described him as a “prisoner of conscience” following his alleged fallout with the Tinubu administration.

Obi’s media aide, Idris Zekeri, said the former governor had consistently called for El-Rufai’s case to be properly addressed through the courts.

Zekeri said Obi had been vocal about El-Rufai’s continued detention and maintained that any allegations against him should be determined through due process.

He said the former presidential candidate had also spoken publicly about the matter, stressing that Nigerians should not be kept in prolonged detention without a charge or without their rights being respected.

El-Rufai has been in the custody of the ICPC since February, with the anti-corruption agency investigating allegations involving the former governor.

The ICPC has said his detention was backed by court orders, while El-Rufai has challenged aspects of the proceedings and his continued detention.

A Federal High Court in Abuja recently reserved ruling on El-Rufai’s no-case submission in a case concerning alleged unlawful interception of the telephone communications of National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu.

The court fixed October 26 for its ruling, while a separate N1bn fundamental rights suit filed by El-Rufai against the ICPC, Inspector-General of Police and Attorney-General of the Federation was adjourned to October 27.

Speaking on Channels Television’s Morning Brief, Momodu also criticised the former governor’s continued detention and said his past political contribution should not be ignored.

Momodu argued that El-Rufai played a role in the political developments that culminated in Tinubu becoming president, alongside former President Muhammadu Buhari and Aisha Buhari.

He questioned the circumstances surrounding El-Rufai’s present ordeal and suggested that the former governor’s political relationship with the current administration could be relevant to the situation.

Momodu also praised the ADC for giving El-Rufai a position within its political structure despite his detention, saying the appointment was significant even if the former governor could not immediately perform the role.

On criticism that El-Rufai promoted divisive politics during his tenure as Kaduna governor, Momodu pointed to his previous relationship with the same political establishment now critical of him.

He recalled El-Rufai’s campaign for Tinubu before the 2023 presidential election and questioned whether those who now accuse him of divisive politics held the same view at the time.

Momodu described El-Rufai as a major political figure in northern Nigeria, particularly in the North-West, and highlighted the region’s importance in presidential elections.

He further described the former governor as a “prisoner of conscience,” while stressing that he believed El-Rufai would not be facing the same ordeal if he had remained in favour with the government.

The renewed calls followed a statement by El-Rufai addressing the silence of some former associates, friends and family members over his continued detention.

In the statement, titled My Relationships and the Aftermath, El-Rufai said he had no hatred or resentment towards those who had chosen not to support him during his present circumstances.

He said his support for people and causes had been motivated by his faith, values and conscience rather than an expectation that those people would later repay him.

El-Rufai also said he would not allow perceived injustice, ingratitude or injury to make him seek revenge against those involved.