Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar on Tuesday, February 24, 2026, issued a stern warning to the Federal Government under President Bola Tinubu, cautioning against any harm coming to former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai, who is reportedly in detention.
In a strongly worded statement posted on his official X account, Atiku demanded immediate clarity from the authorities on which security agency is holding El-Rufai and insisted that his health, safety, and fundamental rights must be fully protected.
“The health and welfare of El-Rufai is a matter of grave concern to his family, friends, and associates,” Atiku wrote. “The Federal Government owes Nigerians clarity. It must state clearly which agency is holding him, whether the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC), the State Security Service (SSS), or any other arm of the security establishment.”
He condemned what he described as unnecessary secrecy surrounding the detention, stating: “Secrecy in matters of detention only fuels suspicion. Nigerians deserve transparency.”
Atiku emphasized the constitutional obligations of whichever agency is responsible: “Whichever agency is responsible has a constitutional duty to guarantee his safety, dignity, access to medical care, and access to his family and legal representatives.”
The statement referenced disturbing reports—first made public by El-Rufai’s aide, Muyiwa Adeleke—that the former governor suffered a nosebleed while in custody. Adeleke also alleged that EFCC operatives denied El-Rufai a meal brought by his wife on February 17, 2026, and that both family members and legal counsel have faced repeated difficulties gaining access to him.
“Reports that he suffered a nosebleed while family members were allegedly denied access are deeply troubling and unacceptable in a democracy,” Atiku declared. “If the authorities cannot guarantee his health and fundamental rights, the lawful and humane course of action is to grant him bail without delay. If anything happens to El-Rufai, this government will be held accountable.”
The former vice president further accused the administration of engaging in selective prosecution targeting opposition figures while shielding others. “More troubling, however, is the growing perception of selective prosecution, in which opposition figures are aggressively pursued while others are conspicuously shielded from investigation or interrogation,” he said. “Anti-corruption must not become a political weapon.”
Atiku argued that the continued detention of El-Rufai under unclear circumstances raises serious questions about motive and credibility. “The continued detention of El-Rufai under unclear circumstances raises serious questions about motive. Anti-corruption cannot be credible when it appears partisan, coercive, or strategically timed.”
He concluded by reaffirming core democratic principles: “Justice must be transparent. Accountability must be even-handed. And the rule of law must apply to all; without fear, without favour, and without political bias.”
The statement comes amid escalating controversy over El-Rufai’s detention, which began following his invitation by the EFCC in connection with alleged financial improprieties during his tenure as governor of Kaduna State (2015–2023). El-Rufai’s aide, Muyiwa Adeleke, had earlier claimed that no formal remand order had been shown to the former governor’s legal team authorizing detention beyond the initial 48-hour constitutional limit without charge.
El-Rufai himself has been a vocal critic of certain policies of the Tinubu administration since leaving office, including aspects of economic reforms and security management in the North. His detention has drawn widespread attention from political figures across party lines, civil society organizations, and human rights groups, many of whom have called for due process, transparency, and protection of his rights.
As of Tuesday afternoon, neither the presidency, the EFCC, nor any other security agency had publicly confirmed the exact status of El-Rufai’s detention, the agency involved, or the specific grounds for holding him. No official response had been issued to Atiku’s statement or the allegations of mistreatment.
The development has intensified debates over the rule of law, the independence of anti-corruption agencies, and the treatment of high-profile political figures in Nigeria’s polarized political environment. Observers expect further statements from opposition leaders, legal practitioners, and international human rights bodies in the coming days as the situation unfolds.
