El-Rufai’s Detention Is Politically Motivated – Peter Obi

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

The Labour Party Presidential Candidate in the 2023 General Elections, Peter Obi, has described the continued detention of former Kaduna State Governor, Malam Nasir El-Rufai, as a classical case of political persecution.

The former Anambra State Governor insisted that the travails of the  chieftain of the opposition Coalition platform, the African Democratic Congress, ADC is a direct assault on the Country’s democratic arrangement.

The Source reports that El-Rufai who is facing inter-agency investigations on multiple charges bordering on alleged money laundering, diversion of public funds and security related offences has been in the custody of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, ICPC, since February 18, 2026 ,after being granted bail by a sister agency, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission EFCC.

Despite an extended 14-day court remand order granted to the anti-graft Commission by a Bwari Chief Magistrate Court on March, 5, 2026 , elapsed on March 19 ,the former El-Rufai is still being held by the ICPC under what circumstances seen by many as hazy and controversial.

Expectedly, the path being treaded by the anti-corruption commission has continued to elicit widespread indignation and condemnations across party lines.

Obi, a prominent figure and presidential hopeful, while speaking at a stakeholders parley of the ADC in Kaduna at the weekend, warned that ICPC’s prolonged detention of El-Rufai without trial greatly undermines the rule of law and due process .

He expressed great reservation over the tendency by security agencies to first arrest before embarking on investigations of suspects .

Obi cautioned against the continued treatment of El-Rufai as a fugitive in his own country.

According to him, to continue to detain the former Kaduna State Governor without filing charges against him after over 30 days in detention  is a development that raises more questions about the actual motives behind the arrest itself.

“How can you invite someone who just returned on his own from abroad, and then begin to treat him like a fugitive?.

“For me, what is playing out now is a political persecution. We have a law, and that law allows for people to be treated with dignity until they are found guilty. Let our law prevail in the present circumstances”, Obi stated.

While advocating that those suspected of running foul of the laws of the land be made to face justice,  Obi, however, insisted that due process must  be followed with the accused presumed innocent until otherwise proven.

Obi, therefore, called on the ICPC to immediately arraign El-Rufai or grant him bail if there is no prima facie case established against him.

Anything to the contrary, Obi added, will tantamount to political persecution and a threat to democratic principles.