Rabiu Kwankwaso has called on the Federal Government to uphold justice and due process. The former Kano governor raised concerns over issues involving Peter Obi and Nasir El-Rufai.
ABUJA, NIGERIA — Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, the national leader of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), has urged the Federal Government to ensure fairness, transparency and respect for the rule of law in matters involving Peter Obi and Nasir El-Rufai. He made the call in a statement after commenting on separate developments concerning the two opposition figures.
Kwankwaso said he was concerned by Peter Obi’s recent interview with media personality Chude Jideonwo, in which the former Labour Party presidential candidate expressed fears about his personal safety and the effect of his opposition role on his businesses. He argued that every Nigerian, regardless of political affiliation, deserves the protection of the state and should not face ridicule for raising legitimate security concerns.
He also expressed concern over the continued detention of former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai after watching members of the former governor’s family speak publicly about the situation. Kwankwaso stated that El-Rufai, like every Nigerian citizen, is entitled to due process, the presumption of innocence and a fair hearing before a competent court. He added that delays in granting bail under what he described as stringent conditions had raised concerns and called for an expeditious judicial process while safeguarding the health and welfare of El-Rufai and his family.
Kwankwaso urged the Federal Government to handle both matters with transparency, accountability and justice. He said such issues should not become tools for settling political disagreements and stressed that democratic leadership requires fairness, restraint and equal treatment under the law. According to him, every Nigerian, irrespective of age, ethnicity, religion or political persuasion, deserves equal protection and justice.
The development means fresh attention is shifting to the treatment of opposition figures and the broader debate about civil liberties, due process and democratic governance in Nigeria. At the time of publication, the Federal Government had not issued a response to Kwankwaso’s latest statement, while the matters involving Peter Obi and Nasir El-Rufai remain subjects of public and political discussion.
