Former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, has appealed to the Federal Government to free former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, alongside others he described as political detainees.
He made this known on Monday, the 23rd of March, 2026, through a post on his X handle after returning to Nigeria from Umrah.
Atiku explained that upon his return, he led a delegation on a solidarity visit to former Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, SAN.
He stressed that detaining individuals over political views or ideological differences should not be tolerated, urging the authorities to release El-Rufai and others without delay.
He maintained that democracy must rest on respect for basic rights, including freedom of expression and political association.
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Atiku wrote: “Following my return to the country on Saturday night from Umrah (lesser Hajj), I led a delegation on a solidarity visit to the former Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, SAN. I wish to serve notice to the authorities detaining former Governor of Kaduna State, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, @elrufai, and all other political detainees to release them henceforth. No one should be detained simply because they do not share the same ideology or political platform with the government of the day.”
Reports indicate that the statement comes amid rising concerns in some political quarters over claims of harassment and detention of opposition figures under the administration of President Bola Tinubu.
The Federal Government, however, has repeatedly insisted that its actions are based on the rule of law and not influenced by politics.