Atiku raises alarm over whereabouts of El-Rufai, blasts Tinubu

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has called on the administration of President Bola Tinubu to urgently clarify the whereabouts and health condition of former Kaduna State governor, Nasir El‑Rufai, amid reports of his continued detention.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, Atiku expressed concern over what he described as growing anxiety among El-Rufai’s family, friends, and political associates regarding his welfare. He urged the Federal Government to publicly disclose which security or anti-graft agency is responsible for the former governor’s custody.

The former vice president specifically mentioned agencies such as the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC), and the Department of State Services (DSS), stressing that Nigerians deserve transparency.

“The Federal Government owes Nigerians clarity,” Atiku said, warning that secrecy surrounding detentions only fuels suspicion and weakens public trust in democratic institutions.

He maintained that whichever agency is holding El-Rufai has a constitutional responsibility to guarantee his safety, dignity, and access to medical care, family members, and legal representatives.

Atiku described as “deeply troubling” reports alleging that the former governor suffered a nosebleed while in custody and that relatives were denied access to him. According to him, such developments are unacceptable in a democratic society governed by the rule of law.

He further argued that if authorities cannot guarantee El-Rufai’s health and fundamental rights, he should be granted bail without delay, warning that the government would be held accountable should any harm come to him.

Beyond the immediate concerns, Atiku cautioned against what he termed a growing perception of selective prosecution, alleging that opposition figures were being aggressively targeted while others appeared shielded from scrutiny.

“The anti-corruption campaign must not become a political weapon,” he said, insisting that accountability efforts must remain transparent, impartial, and free from political bias.

Atiku added that the continued detention of the former governor under unclear circumstances raises serious questions about motive, stressing that justice must be administered “without fear or favour.”