The vice-presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, has called on the Federal Government to guarantee the safety of the party’s presidential candidate, Peter Obi, while also demanding that former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai be accorded due process and a fair trial.
In a statement issued on Thursday, Kwankwaso criticised the government’s response to concerns raised by Obi about his personal safety and political activities, insisting that every Nigerian is entitled to equal protection under the law regardless of political affiliation.
His remarks followed Obi’s recent interview on With Chude, during which the former Anambra governor alleged that his role as an opposition leader had negatively affected his businesses and expressed fears that he might not be alive to contest the 2027 presidential election.
Kwankwaso said every Nigerian deserves the full protection of the state and argued that genuine concerns about personal safety should not be dismissed or ridiculed.
He also expressed concern over the continued detention of Nasir El-Rufai, insisting that the former Kaduna governor, like every Nigerian, is entitled to the presumption of innocence and due process under the Constitution.
Kwankwaso argued that prolonged detention and stringent bail conditions should not replace a fair and speedy judicial process, urging authorities to protect the health and welfare of El-Rufai and his family.
He further warned against using state institutions to settle political disputes, saying democracy can only flourish when all citizens receive equal treatment under the law.
Obi’s comments have drawn mixed reactions, with the All Progressives Congress dismissing his allegations and criticising his remarks.
The statement also comes amid increasing public attention over El-Rufai’s detention following comments by one of his wives, Asiya El-Rufai, who alleged on ARISE News that the arrest of the former governor’s physician represented the “weaponisation” of healthcare.
The Federal Government had not issued a fresh response to Kwankwaso’s statement as of the time of publication.
