The wives of former Kaduna State Governor Nasir el-Rufai have appealed to President Bola Tinubu to intervene in what they described as the family’s ongoing ordeal, urging him to ensure their husband is granted his constitutional rights.
Speaking in Abuja on Tuesday, Asiya el-Rufai, accompanied by Aichatou el-Rufai, reacted to the arrest of Bello Abubakar, the former governor’s personal physician, by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).
The anti-graft agency alleged that el-Rufai and Bello abused official privileges and violated a court order concerning the former governor’s medical consultation.
Asiya said the family was not asking the president to interfere with the judicial process or stop any prosecution but to ensure that el-Rufai is treated in line with the law.
According to her, the family is only seeking access to medical care, legal representation, family visits and bail on reasonable terms, as guaranteed by the Constitution.
Recalling their support for Tinubu during the 2023 presidential election, she said, “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?”
She further appealed to the president, saying, “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.”
Asiya maintained that the family was not asking for preferential treatment, adding, “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.”
She concluded, “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.”
