El-Rufai's Wife Begs Tinubu for Fair Treatment, Citing Campaign Support

On Tuesday, July 7, Hajiya Asiya El-Rufai, the spouse of the immediate past governor of Kaduna State, made an impassioned appeal to President Bola Tinubu. She implored the President to guarantee equitable treatment for her husband, Malam Nasir El-Rufai, stressing their pivotal involvement in his successful 2023 presidential campaign. Mrs. El-Rufai, accompanied by El-Rufai's second wife, Aichatou, addressed the press after the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) apprehended Prof. Bello Abubakar, who is the former governor's personal physician.

The family revealed that the detained politician, who suffers from severe hypertension and high blood sugar, has been denied crucial medical attention. Speaking to journalists in Abuja, Asiya clarified that their request was not to impede the judicial proceedings. Instead, they sought the fundamental constitutional rights due to every Nigerian citizen, including access to legal representation, family visits, necessary medical care, and conditions for bail that are fair and achievable.

Addressing President Tinubu directly, she underscored the extensive efforts her family expended during the recent election period to support his candidacy. She stated, and I quote: “Mr. President Sir, I campaigned for you. I stood up and went to every nook and cranny of Kaduna State for you. My husband stood by your side. Is this what our family deserves? The ball is in your court, Mr. President. All these can stop if you say a word. We believe that you are a father and we know you can empathise.”

Reiterating that their quest was for justice, not political interference, she further appealed: “Please let him go free. I am not asking you to tell them not to prosecute him, but we are asking you to allow him the basic human rights that the Constitution you swore to uphold and defend guarantees. Let them give him the bail that he can afford. If he is guilty, let the court decide; if he is innocent, let the court decide.”

Asiya expressed concern that the stringent restrictions on visitors and medical personnel have inflicted considerable emotional anguish on the family. She remarked: “We, the family, are traumatised. We live in constant fear that we will wake up and hear some bad news.” She continued, stating her belief that "what they are doing is more about psychological warfare against Malam and against his family. If they humiliate us, dehumanise us and put us in constant fear, they feel that affects Malam.” She concluded by emphasizing: “We do not shy away from defending ourselves, but we want a fair trial. We want an opportunity to be heard. Malam cannot adequately prepare for his defence while he remains in custody and has limited access to his lawyers.”