El-Rufai’s wife’s tears must move our nation’s conscience — Obi tells FG

By Precious Mark

The 2027 presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has called for transparent justice and fair treatment for the former Governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai, stating that the emotional viral video of his wife must serve as a wake-up call to the nation’s conscience.

Obi made this known in a statement on Wednesday, expressing deep concern over a video in which the former governor’s wife, Hajiya Asiya El-Rufai, made a tearful public appeal regarding her husband’s strict treatment and deteriorating health while in custody.

The opposition leader cautioned that Nigeria’s democratic institutions must ensure that legal processes remain fair, transparent, and completely free from any appearance of victimization or pre-trial punitive measures.

“I woke up this morning in America and was deeply moved by an emotional viral video of Hajiya Asiya El-Rufai, prompting deep reflection on our nation’s future,” Obi stated.

He maintained that regardless of the weight of any allegations leveled against an individual, a constitutional democracy requires state mechanisms to preserve the dignity and legal protections of its citizens.

“Regardless of the allegations against Mallam Nasir El-Rufai or any other citizen, justice must be transparent and fair, with reasonable bail conditions that should not be seen as punitive before trial. In a democracy governed by the rule of law, institutions exist to protect every citizen’s rights, regardless of their background,” Peter Obi added.

Obi warned that the deployment of selective justice damages public confidence in the anti-graft campaign and directly threatens the foundation of national unity.

He urged law enforcement agencies and judicial officers to adhere strictly to the tenets of due process.

“We must resist any hint of selective justice that erodes public trust and threatens national unity. Those tasked with enforcing our laws must act professionally and strictly follow due process. Let us strive for a Nigeria where the law is paramount, and where every citizen is guaranteed dignity and justice. This is the foundation of the New Nigeria we envisage,” Obi concluded.

The development follows a media briefing by Hajiya Asiya El-Rufai at her Abuja residence on Tuesday, where she alleged that the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) had subjected her husband to psychological warfare, including restricting access to his family and his personal physician, Professor Bello Abubakar, despite the former governor battling high blood pressure and high blood sugar levels.